:(

The idea of moving on from programming makes me sad. I suppose for some people it's a job, but to me giving up programming would be like giving up on writing poetry or playing music.

I once upon a time burned out on photography and look where it led me. People change, and we should celebrate it.

Where… where did it lead you?

TJ has already produced more open source software (much of it still in use, despite being dated if not maintained by others at this point) than 90% of devs will write in their entire careers (between open and closed source), so I think if anyone has earned it, it's him.

I 100% agree that if TJ wants to retire from programming, he should. Pressuring him to do something he doesn't want to do is wrong.

My comment more of a personal comment. Imagine you're an amateur painter, and you enjoy painting. You live in the same era as Michelangelo, and you admire him. But, one day Michelangelo announces he no longer enjoys painting, and decides to become a sailor instead. And, you realize there might be a day you won't enjoy painting either.

and there is something to be said about sailors who may or may not have retired from programming of course

Yeah, there's nothing wrong with being a sailor. It's more a fear of change — thinking you'll always enjoy painting, and then realizing there might be a day when the passion is gone.

Really?