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Contrarianism is not an end in itself. If you deliberately take the polar opposite of what is popular, you're following fashion just as much as someone who always has to be using the new hot thing.

How about we just use the tools that allow us to both do a good job and enjoy doing it.

If part of your enjoyment comes from feeling that you're using the optimal modern configuration, that's great. If part of your enjoyment comes from blazing trails with exciting new technology, go for it! If part of your enjoyment comes from using familiar tools in the way you feel most comfortable, that is also sweet.

In all likelihood, when you're building a compelling and performant web application, they will each serve more than adequately.

The idea that "If my work had become too popular I'd probably think I'd have to change" is terribly cynical.




> The idea that "If my work had become too popular I'd probably think I'd have to change" is terribly cynical.

Not really. For some people, the goal is to do useful work that only you can do. When your work becomes mainstream, that means there are people willing to take it and run with it. At that point, you've made a great contribution. Leave it to the next generation and move onto the next project. It keeps you from being complacent, keeps you moving forward and creating new things.

Case in point - how many new things has Steve Jobs created since he re-joined Apple? How many new things has Linus made since he started Linux? Two very different approaches to projects and work, yet I wouldn't call either of them cynical.




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