Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

That's not unique to software, or the modern world at all, though.

Most people have never created the best-in-the-world implementation of anything. The math just doesn't work that way. Only one can be the best. We need to stop turning such unobtainable things into goals.




That's not what I'm saying at all. Of course very few people make "the best" of anything. What I'm saying is that the internet, and in our case open-source software, have caused "the best" to be all that matters, because it's accessible to everyone. There's no longer a practical reason for most people to engineer most (generic) things themselves because the better solution isn't hidden behind a license, or proprietary to an organization, or inaccessible due to physical media. People used to buy things like linkers. Today, the state-of-the-art is nearly always at your fingertips, for free, in seconds.

I'm not saying this is a bad thing. Progress always makes certain endeavors obsolete over time. You don't see job postings for telegraph operators any more because it's no longer useful. But if a person enjoys one of those endeavors for its own sake, it's bittersweet to see it relegated to a hobby.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: