I’ve been coding for almost six years now. Six years of late nights, Stack Overflow marathons, drinking caffeine like it’s hydration, and learning to speak fluent regex in my dreams. I’ve memorized functions, algorithms, error codes, and keyboard shortcuts most people didn’t even know existed.
And now?
Now, we have AI that can do the majority of it better—or at least quicker. You know that feeling where you debug something for half a day and watch an AI do it in 30 seconds and include comments with flawless grammar and emotional awareness? Yeah, that's the atmosphere.
Let's discuss vibe coding; this new, ephemeral, visually-oriented coding culture that's in the making. Less logic-based, more imagination, flow, vibes. And don't take my word for it, but it is kinda lovely. But for us older folks brought up on clean syntax and hard core problem solving, it's like attempting to dance after being a member of a mathlete club for years. Like. coding as art performance? When did that start happening?
I understand—evolution is inescapable. I'm not angry with progress. I'm just. exhausted. Exhausted from having to keep pace. I spent decades becoming skilled at a set of skills that now are a "nice to have," not a must-have. And that's a bitter pill to swallow. It's not only the skill loss; it's the identity crisis that ensues. When something you've invested your time, brain, and burnout into gets automated, what does that make you?
Is it all worthless now that it's memorized code? Was it a waste? I don't know. Maybe it's fundamental knowledge. Maybe it's learning to ride a bike while everybody else has flying drones. But I still sit here looking at my screen some days wondering, "What's the point?" And that hits me harder than any of my failed deployments ever did.
Yes, I’m still coding. I’m still doing the work. But this shift feels like pressure from all sides: stay relevant, be creative, ride the AI wave, keep learning, don't get replaced, don't burn out again. Oh and also—have a life, sleep enough, touch grass. Cool cool cool.
Note: The image is AI generated and AI have been used for grammar correction and basic English translations in some parts.