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I don't get it - why people in USA are so bent on the proverbial "career" when most SWE jobs pay way above average? Why not _just_ earn a decent salary and live a less stressful life? If you're bored, you can switch jobs comparatively easily due to demand for programmers.

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I think most software people in the USA do exactly that. Most of us have fairly low-stress jobs, in larger companies, and just do our work and live our lives. But that is boring, so while it works for us, we're not out talking about it online, so you aren't hearing from us - you hear from the more vocal minority who are pushing for more.

It's not a matter of making enough. It's a matter of validation. Professional status tends to be tied to identity.

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