GoKawiilDeveloper reflects on burnout as AI coding tools reshape software engineering
A programmer describes a personal breakdown driven by anxiety over generative AI's impact on creative and technical work, particularly coding. They argue AI art is easy to dismiss as inferior, but AI-assisted programming poses a harder challenge because large language models have become genuinely competent at generating code, forcing every developer to decide how to respond.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
This reflects a broader crisis of identity within the software engineering profession, where rapid AI capability gains are outpacing consensus on best practices or ethics. The tension between productivity gains and personal fulfillment in creative technical work could shape how the next generation of programmers defines their craft and mental well-being.
- The writer experienced burnout linked to anxiety over AI's growing role in creative and technical fields.
- AI-generated code is seen as a tougher challenge than AI art due to its practical competence.
- Many programmers feel pressured to adopt AI coding assistants despite personal reservations about enjoyment and ownership of their work.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield — When motivation collapses into laundered tissue paper, this slim book is the classic kick in the pants about pushing past Resistance and making the thing anyway. It's a fast read you can restart any time the creative spiral hits, which makes it a perfect companion to this kind of "fuck it, make it anyway" pep talk.
See The War of Art by Steven Pressfield on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: joelotter.com — Joel Auterson, 2026-09-12
Published there as: “Fuck it, make it anyway”
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