I’m no longer a Software Developer

After nearly a decade in software; I’ve decided it’s no longer for me.

Growing up I was excited about the internet. I loved playing video games. Software was magic. It let me escape high school and find happiness when reality couldn’t deliver. It was my outlet. I grew up at the times of mobafire and xanga. We were pioneers of the internet, figuring out what it meant to be connected; sharing our feelings to the world.

Software is evolving from an industry of experts to one of mass production by using AI, a tool created from the pillaging of the internet. We used to be proud of the things we built. As AI continues to lower the average, quality will degrade. The pride we once had will no longer exist. Everything will slowly become worse as everything does when the only thing that matters is profit.

Today I remember that I did not become a software developer to press buttons in a factory, I did not become a software developer to pillage the internet, and I did not become a software developer to bring shareholder value.

I’m scared of what that means and leaving this behind.

March 2026