There's is nothing wrong with honest work, but if you are a highly skilled programmer and think that HFT is the most impactful/important work you can do. Then you aren't thinking hard enough.
Re:A High Frequency Trader's Apology, Pt 2
by TimGebhardt on Friday April 27, 2012 @11:09AM
(#3899385)
And I think he's asking you: what should he do then since you're judging that the work he's doing isn't valuable? Impact and importance are judgement calls.
You're already making the judgement that the work he's doing isn't valuable, finish it up and judge what he should do.
Would you rather I build a photo-sharing site? Chase tenure with esoteric publications?
Do you even know why I do HFT? I do it because it's intellectually stimulating and pays well, plus I work in a small firm of ten smart people and no corporate politics.
As for the value to society you don't believe I'm providing, my arbitraging makes it possible for products like ETFs to exist. Most retail investors would be best served with an index fund, and my work ultimately provides that service.