> are we in a temporary bubble of high salaries?

There's no guarantee. I worry about the same thing.

> I don't think we treat our elders with respect

This is why software is an extremely immature discipline.

* We don't want to use discipline because it hurts our 'flow' (JS semicolon debacle)

* We don't learn from the past ("coupling's not real!")

* We don't respect our elders...unless, of course, you're famous (e.g. Carmack)

I love building things, but the sentiment (at least on HN) is disgustingly populist at times. It's like the whole industry tries to make itself mediocre.