Sorin,

I think most of us love development. But in 5 years I don't think many of us will still be cutting code. A lucky few will find a niche and remain easily employed at huge rates forever, like "the" Cobol programmer in a bank. Many will morph into project/design roles, retaining the creative aspects of development while shedding the commodity coding. Some will be driven out- by trying to keep on doing the same things, they become irrelevant. Others will move voluntarily to scrap-booking, antiques or hobbies in which they are highly competent and can make $. For example, one poster here seems to be skilled at creating giant cakes. In the internet age there is a business opportunity there- "Jay's Rather Large Cakes" may become a brand we all know and love. :-) Another poster teaches guitar. "StringalongTom" may become a music training system used all over the world.

It really seems sad when people act as if choosing a new tool makes everything OK. Unless people have a game plan for outsourcing, IMHO that's just "rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic."

Changing direction isn't so hard. Once upon a time I was a physician. I practiced Orthopedic surgery. In 1991 I stepped aside for a year to develop some software. I never quite went back! I'm not advocating that people need to make a jump of that size, but I do agree with the American author who observed that in 20 years we'll regret the things we didn't do more than the things we did, so lets get going!