Only extreme programmers will survive

The software engineering job market has shifted toward two extremes: hyper-generalism and extreme specialization. Hyper-generalists, like forward deployed engineers (job listings up 800%), must combine broad technical skills with soft skills like customer communication and project management. Extreme specialists, like Bun creator Jared Sumner, command massive salaries (Scale AI paying $1M/year for ML engineers) by going deep on one vertical. The middle ground of average bootcamp-to-LeetCode developers is shrinking. The author personally bets on generalism while acknowledging the polymath path is difficult.