It strikes me that most professions have extremes.

There are developers, then there are developers.

There are mechanics, then there are mechanics.

etc.

There some mechanics I know who are absolutely top-notch - they know their stuff, and have had a passion for it for years. Others I run in to at repair shops are really just... they have a job. That's it. They may stay, or move on to something else later, but they're just average.

And I see that in a lot of developers (probably moreso, as I have a more critical eye for that).

But I think it's probably that way in almost every profession - some are truly passionate, brilliant, dedicated, etc. And some folks just treat it as a job.

I sort of agree, as long as you flexibly include metal machining & welding in the skillset of your archetypal mechanic. Solving mechanical problems by fabbing stuff from nothing. That's pure wizardry to most folks.

And Einstein worked in a patent office.