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Comment by enraged_camel | Hacker News Reader

My parents are doctors. They are in their 60s. And guess what: they still spend evenings and weekends reading medical journals, attending conferences (around the globe) and doing whatever else is necessary to keep up with new developments in their specialties. That's just what it takes to remain relevant in fast-moving fields.

I think what software developers need is some perspective. We aren't the only ones who have to spend time outside of work on keeping our skills sharp and learning new stuff.

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I see this all the time but you can't compare apple (doctor) to orange (software developer).

Doctor is more "trustworthy" (perception-wise) as they get older while Developer is more in-demand when they're younger.

Doctor also technically made way more money than Developer (in general though, the statement may not stand if you compare Silicon Valley but you get the idea, even in other countries, Doctor probably made more than Developer).

Doctor also keep their job longer than Developer.

Doctor can read but does not necessarily have to demonstrate that to their prospective employers while Developer can't just say "I read Objective-C for Dummies therefore I am an expert of Objective-C".

These were just ones of many things that I can think of.

You forgot: Doctors have a strong professional organization that works for them, handles things like certification, keeps the labor supply favorable and wages high. Developers, on the other hand, swallow the "unions are bad" mentality and compete with each other in the usual "labor race to the bottom".

I wish I could add more, but you've nailed it. Upvoted!

I don't think the AMA has much affect on employment of older doctors. He's right - older doctors are in demand because they're assumed to have acquired some wisdom along the way. The same is not true of software developers.

slacker hat: perspective is one of those words they use when they want something from you, like "duty" or "contribute". Doctors get so much more job security, prestige, and straight-up money than software developers. By the time we're in our 60s, many of our classmates who went into medicine will be living in neighborhoods and moving in social circles that are completely inaccessible to us.

Don't you think there's difference between reading about surgeries and performing those surgeries (Or POC surgeries :))? I do get what you are saying, not trying to be mean. What I'm saying is the effort and time commitment to do weekend apps sometime end up taking whole weekends including nights...all because we love doing this.

I'd be studying all night long if I was a doctor too. You can practice anywhere in the US, choose low-cost-of-living locales where you dont need 15-years worth of salary to buy a home. You have supply tightly controlled by a Board (i.e. cartel.) Wow...if only developers go those types of benefits.

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