Hacker News Reader

Hobby woodworkers still build tables themselves, despite the existence of factories, assembly lines, IKEA.

Until the government forbids writing programs by hand, writing programs by hand will remain a satisfying hobby. The only thing that's changing is how much other people appreciate the skill and effort you put into a given program.

There are still hobby blacksmiths in the world. And at least a bunch of people willing to say they appreciate the craft and effort that goes into that. A very small number of people and companies are still willing to pay actual money for that handcrafted work. But the economic circumstances that cause “Smith” to become the post popular surname in English are long gone, and never coming back.

You can continue to be a hobbyist mountain climber even when the job market stop asking for any.

I sincerely hope you are a founder of your company.