Complex internet services fail in interesting ways as they grow in size and complexity. Twitter’s recent issues show how failures emerge slowly over time as relationships between components degrade. Meta’s quick launch of Threads demonstrates how platform investments can compound over time, allowing them to quickly build on existing infrastructure and expertise. While layoffs may be needed, companies must be strategic to maintain what matters most - the ability to navigate complex systems and deliver value. Twitter’s inability to ship new features shows they have lost this expertise, while Threads may out-execute them due to Meta’s platform advantages. The case of Twitter and Threads provides a lesson for companies on who they want to be during times of optimization.
Note that I have never seen or met anyone who earns more than $160,000 as a developer. That is itself considered a huge sum of money here in the U.S.A. I am in the northeast, and it’s the same in the mid-Atlantic.
I think references to 300-600k pay is bullshit - a unicorn presented to make everyone outside the industry think we’re priveliged and have nothing to complain about. It’s a strawman, a convenient myth.
160k is still a ridiculous amount of money.
In Europe that’s about where they max out.
Fresh out of university in Europe you’ll be lucky to fetch more than 65k, give or take for currency.
Not many that goes over 120k while still retaining a developer title (and job description), but I suppose we’re getting there quicker with the current inflation rates.