Ask HN: Are programmers more likely to ignore society as they did not invent it?

1 amichail 1 8/20/2025, 1:00:20 PM

Programmers often invent their own worlds, so they may resist integrating into an existing one — namely, the society in which they live.

By contrast, a medical doctor works within the existing world and is therefore more likely to find it easier to integrate into a society they did not invent.

Do you think this is the case?

Comments (1)

Propelloni · 6h ago

I think the premise is flawed. 1st, there is no evidence that programmers do invent worlds more or less often than anybody else. 2nd, while it is a cliché there is also no evidence that programmers have difficulties or don't want to integrate into their societies more or less than non-programmers.

World building may be escapism in some cases, but the common case of world building is contingency planning. Just look at investment banking or, more relatable, getting your kids to and fro school.

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Ask HN: Are programmers more likely to ignore society as they did not invent it?

Comments (1)