I feel like it can't be understated how amazing 'asking the internet' is today. I regularly post questions on repos or SO where the software creators directly answer, with their intent. We have countless means of interacting with the ones that create the tools we work with (including HN!).

I know that there's some hairiness around maintainer manners and the drama expected in any large enough group of people, but our ability to communicate with our peers is really advanced compared to other disciplines.