Programming as a Hobby in the Age of AI

Professionally, writing my own code is critical. As a scientist, it is how I really understand what that journal article I just read really means. When I write the code, I discover the edge cases that the paper overlooked. If I left it up to AI, I would have the same superficial understanding of someone who just read the article. Code is where you assumptions are challenged. It is easy to make an theory that works 90% of the time. Writing the code forces you to go from 90% to 100% or at least understand why we are stuck at 90%. Not to mention the joys of wrestling with the code that the author describes.

> It is a self-care luxury that I can indulge when I have some free time.

This is such an incredible source of sadness.

Technology and automation have never gotten in the way of people pursuing and enjoying hobbies. Painters still paint, woodworkers still make bespoke furniture, etc, etc.