% is certainly much smaller: computers are so cheap these days that it makes sense to pay people to do boring stuff with them.
However: in absolute terms, I bet there's way more challenging/interesting work now than 40 years ago, and in geographical terms, there are definitely way more places it's possible to do that work.
Food for thought:
> I suppose the picture of computing is of a topsy-turvy growth obeying laws of a commercial "natural" selection. This could be entirely accurate considering how fast it has grown. Things started out in a scholarly vein, but the rush of commerce hasn't allowed much time to think where we're going.
However: in absolute terms, I bet there's way more challenging/interesting work now than 40 years ago, and in geographical terms, there are definitely way more places it's possible to do that work.
Food for thought:
> I suppose the picture of computing is of a topsy-turvy growth obeying laws of a commercial "natural" selection. This could be entirely accurate considering how fast it has grown. Things started out in a scholarly vein, but the rush of commerce hasn't allowed much time to think where we're going.
(that sentiment was penned in 1963)