Not to mention the sense of pioneering something.

something you're happy to spend 80+ hours a week on, especially when basic needs are taken care of.

Vs writing the same thing that already exists with a different front end, a bunch of times with different examples, because somebody who has more resources (not just more cash, but also time) decides visuals are more important than real functionality.

Part of the reason I don't like 'coding' or developing software its because is so dreadful and feels overly stupid when an open source alternative works better than what you'd be able to make before the deadline.

I just rather be a CTO / SysAdmin and live happier.