What we lost the last time code got cheap
The last time code got cheap, we lost something we didn't expect. History is repeating.

Why it matters
As AI-powered coding tools commoditize software development, leaders need to understand the hidden costs of automation—what gets lost when barriers to entry collapse and craft disappears from engineering culture.
The key facts
4 to knowHistorical parallel: previous commoditization of code had unexpected societal/professional consequences
Relevant to AI economy: AI coding agents are rapidly reducing friction and cost of code generation
Audience concern: implications for engineering culture, skill degradation, market saturation, and long-term professional value
Published May 2026 (future-dated or hypothetical context)
Go to the source
Hacker Newspoppastring.com
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