This article uses the sci‑fi novel “Beijing Folding” as a framework to examine the distinct “spaces” of programmers—big‑tech, small‑company, and outsourcing/freelance—highlighting their unique pressures, career anxieties, and the occasional intersections among them.
According to a recent Linux Foundation survey of 418 IT hiring professionals, 37% of companies expanded their technical staff in 2023 while 34% maintained headcount, with cloud providers leading hiring growth, training cuts, longer onboarding times, and rising turnover concerns shaping the evolving tech talent landscape.
This article investigates the true number of programmers in China, debunks inflated estimates, examines data from major platforms and top internet companies, and discusses whether the programming profession is saturated or still a thriving sunrise industry.
The article draws a parallel between mid‑career programmers who are “optimized away” at age 35 and the care given to a disabled Neanderthal, arguing that modern tech firms’ short‑term incentives undermine long‑term innovation and employee trust.
