An interesting paradox exists in the technology world. On the one hand, massive corporations work with enormous budgets, claiming that groundbreaking technology can only be produced with vast resources. On the other side, small, dedicated engineering teams consistently demonstrate they can produce solutions of similar or better quality with just a fraction of that budget. This recurring situation is a clear proof that the fundamental balance between genuine engineering talent and financial resources needs to be questioned.
Tech giants have become experts at skirting regulations, dodging serious oversight while looking like they're playing by the rules. We see this especially with US companies manipulating their own regulatory institutions, often using the fear that China might surpass them technologically as justification for looser oversight. We can't know exactly what's happening behind closed doors, but it doesn't smell right. This is exactly why we need to find real developers who code because they love it, not because they're caught up in these bigger political and financial games.
Unfortunately, the IT sector often becomes a center of attention for people at all levels who 'appear useful but cause harm.' So, how can we distinguish genuine software enthusiasts without wasting time and resources in such an environment?
Actually, a very simple question can be asked to understand this:
"Do you have any software projects in your area of interest that you developed outside of work or school projects without being obligated to?"
If you're looking for more dedication, you can also ask this question:
"Have you ever gotten up in the middle of the night when you couldn't sleep and sat down at your computer to write code?"
The answers to these two questions help us understand whether the person in front of us is genuinely dedicated to the craft or just chasing high-salary dreams.
For someone who carries the spirit of a developer, coding is not a task limited to working hours but a true calling. And it's even become a social responsibility now. These people love to dig into the root causes of problems and can, therefore, understand that configuring ready-made solutions might not solve the underlying problem. They prefer to develop from scratch when necessary and enjoy bringing their projects to life. This dedication quickly sets them apart from others who enter the sector for high salaries. Many can pass challenging Silicon Valley interviews simply by memorizing algorithms, yet they fail miserably when it comes to producing real value. Because software development requires much more than memorizing formulas...
In an era where tech giants mask their inefficiencies behind massive budgets and regulatory games, finding real developers is no longer just an HR challenge; it's a necessity for survival. We need people who care about the code they write and the real-world problems they solve. If you don't feel that drive, it might be time to step aside and find a different path, leaving the terminal to those who truly belong there.
Some thoughts from Serdar.