"I’m sure it’s easier to layoff someone here, outsource overseas for $7 an hour, and then have to hire the same developers back to fix the ridiculous mess of a software project you got back (ie. rewrite) when you don’t think of programmers as people."
and
"I think it can affect programmers more because of the disparity between corporations viewing programming as monkeys banging on a keyboard whereas a truly good developer knows that it’s much more of a craft or even an art."
The author thinks of her own work as art, but those of fellow programmers across the pond is all a "ridiculous mess". Neat.
It might not be as racist as you imply. The fact is those fellow programmers "across the pond" are usually not experienced. That's why they're so cheap. After they get a few years experience they leave to start getting paid. Because of this, outsourcing firms usually have insane turn over and actually do give back a "ridiculous mess".
If this weren't the case programming would probably have been outsourced years ago. Having face time is worth something, but not worth the discrepancy in pay between outsource and insourced.
"The fact is those fellow programmers "across the pond" are usually not experienced. That's why they're so cheap."
Would you entertain the possibility that their wages are lower because the cost of living in their countries are also lower? I agree that many outsourcing firms operate the way you described it. But then, I think that many people who call themselves professional programmers here in the US should never have been allowed near a keyboard unattended. The author takes offense when corporations paint all programmers with a broad brush and view them as "monkeys banging on a keyboard" - but somehow she has no issues applying a similar description to programmers elsewhere.
>Would you entertain the possibility that their wages are lower because the cost of living in their countries are also lower?
In the connected world we live in now, people can see what they could be making. If they can be mobile then many are going to (and do) take advantage of it. They gain enough experience, move to a country with a higher salary and then invest the money back home. Why would you spend your life working for a "comfortable but frugal lower middle class lifestyle" when you could be rich without having to put out much more effort?
and
"I think it can affect programmers more because of the disparity between corporations viewing programming as monkeys banging on a keyboard whereas a truly good developer knows that it’s much more of a craft or even an art."
The author thinks of her own work as art, but those of fellow programmers across the pond is all a "ridiculous mess". Neat.