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Developer Hegemony: The Future of Labor Kindle Edition
Developer Hegemony explores the past, present, and future of the corporation and what it means for developers. While it outlines problems with the modern corporate structure, it’s ultimately a play-by-play of how to leave the corporate carnival and control your own destiny. And it’s an emboldening, specific vision of what software development looks like in the world of developer hegemony—one where developers band together into partner firms of “efficiencers,” finally able to command the pay, respect, and freedom that’s earned by solving problems no one else can.
Developers, if you grow tired of being treated like geeks who can only be trusted to take orders and churn out code, consider this your call to arms. Bring about the autonomous future that’s rightfully yours. It’s time for developer hegemony.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
I couldn't put it down, and felt like the wool was being lifted from my eyes. I really enjoyed it! --Brian Benson, Software Developer Turned Consultant
About the Author
Product details
- ASIN : B0722H41SG
- Publisher : DaedTech (April 23, 2017)
- Publication date : April 23, 2017
- Language : English
- File size : 2.4 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 478 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #956,255 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #148 in Social Aspects of the Internet
- #516 in Workplace Behavior
- #1,278 in Computer History & Culture (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

I am Erik Dietrich, founder of DaedTech LLC, programmer, architect, IT management consultant, blogger, author, and technologist.
Customer reviews
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2019This book is amazing! Erik has an easy to read format that will have you reading through this faster than you might think.
I have been frustrated with why the corporate world didn't quite make sense to me. I've had longings and dreams that the way we do business could be better. This book puts all of that into words.
However, this book is not for the feint of heart. It raises tough questions. At times I was cheering Erik on as he describes things I hadn't quite put to words, or was backing it up with a quick history lesson. But at other times it makes you question your own motives and longings.
Thoroughly enjoyable read. Thought provoking. Loved every page.
If you are a developer, do yourself a favor and read this book!
- Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2017While I found this book to be incredibly enlightening, and would honestly recommend it to anyone working in software development, or in knowledge work in general, I found the conclusion to be unsatisfying. But I think that's okay... more below.
This book not only put a name to many frustrations I've felt in my career, but also helped make me aware of a few phenomena I had never really even noticed. It paints a pretty glum picture of the corporate world, but promises light at the end of the tunnel.
And I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel, but I also think the author's vision (small teams of "efficiencer" consultancy firms) is a bit too narrowly-focused (and the only reason I didn't offer 5 stars). But that shouldn't detract from the book as descriptive, and thought-provoking.
I highly recommend this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2017I say polemic because Dietrich pulls no punches in saying what he thinks about all aspects of software development, his experience in the industry, what he sees as the future of developer labor, and related topics. I'm a professional productivity trainer and consultant and found his take bold and compelling, with numerous examples, metaphors, and case studies pointing the way to the future he describes. I highly recommend this book not only for developers seeking greater autonomy in their careers, but for any knowledge worker trying to figure out what the next level of a career in thinking looks like.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2021I've been reading this book all weekend. The guy does an incredible job of methodically distilling all the things I've learned the hard way over the last 20+ years.
It's basically Will To Power and Das Kapital for software careers.
I'll give it the strongest rec I have: I wish I'd written it.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2019Rolls eyes, shakes head.
This is a self published book, which means weak arguments and mistakes are not challenged. Clearly the author has no idea of what the “tragedy of the commons” means, nor does he understand that the poverty trap of serfdom was worse than that of factory workers.
His ideas are only viewed from his perspective. His historical review, which I am guessing is his attempt to overcome this limitation is superficial. His values are not my values.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2017I loved this book. I'm not even a software developer but as a (non-IT) technical guy I found the lessons in the book are applicable to any smart technical person who's disillusioned with being forced to choose between tech, where you stay in the trenches, and management, where you get paid more but have to sell your soul
- Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2017I'm reading this at every opportunity, but wanted to offer an early review: Eric's articulation of the corporate pyramid tracks very well with my experiences. His breakdown of economic interests & gains is well done and long over-due. Unfortunately for me, I can attest the accuracy of the compensation model he describes. I especially recommend this to young knowledge workers.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2018I read therefore I am. MACINTOSH WAY, CROSSING THE CHASM, MYTHICAL MAN MONTH, PEOPLEWARE, SWITCH, GETTING THINGS DONE, INVENTION AND EVOLUTION, SCIENCES OF THE ARTIFICIAL, THINKING FAST AND SLOW, etc. DEVELOPER HEGEMONY is an instant add to my book pantheon.
Top reviews from other countries
- marcoonroadReviewed in Brazil on September 27, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars A book which I can relate my entire professional life
This book brings good notes about the software development industry and how bad is this industry in general regarding productivity and value outcomes for IT workers.
- Daryl WrightReviewed in Canada on August 6, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars A new path for technologists who cede neither hope, nor perspective, nor integrity
As a former programmer/software developer (in the corporate sense), the first half of the book was an extremely tough, but necessary, pill to swallow, almost to the point of nausea. Anyone with skin in the game will appreciate the clarity that Erik Dietrich gives his readers regarding the state of the knowledge work industry, and Taylorism in general. In the second half, he ushers in the hope of an inevitable future where new "developer ubermenschen" will overtake vertical organizations that are unable to keep up with a growing zero-marginal-cost society due to cumbersome management bloat and counterproductive separation of strategy and labor. This will be the definitive efficiency playbook for years to come.
- GaurangReviewed in India on September 20, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars First half might be depressing. Second half has lot of actionables.
The author goes to great lengths to describe how tech corporations work. He talks about three types of people that make up a corporate pyramid. And describes the characteristics of each type.
This part feels very depressing. But from my experience, it's very real.
In the latter part, the author discusses a lot of success stories. How some people spent time developing a personal brand and gained enough leverage to live on their terms.
It also says that a person should learn inculcate skills outside of their jobs, such as marketing, financial, basic sales, networking etc. Being oblivious to these skills put us at a great disadvantage that a lot of developers don't realise.
Overall, a very good book. Must read for every developer
-
Kai M.Reviewed in Germany on March 7, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolut lesenswert, inhaltlich brillant, sprachlich anspruchsvoll
Das Buch liefert im ersten Teil eine messerscharfe Analyse des Status Quo in der Arbeitswelt der IT. Allein dieser Teil ist mehr als lesenswert, weil jeder die Situationen und die oftmals typischen Eigenschaften der handelnden Archetypen aus dem täglichen Berufsleben wiedererkennen wird. Trotzdem, oder gerade deshalb, öffnet das Buch dem Leser immer wieder die Augen und regt an, die aktuelle berufluche Situation und die erreichbaren Karriereziele einer kritischen Analyse zu unterziehen.
Im zweiten Teil stellt der Autor seine Vision vor, wie Softwareentwickler sich verändern können, um Status und potentiell Einkommen, zumindest aber eine freiere Ausgestaltung ihres beruflichen Arbeitsumfelds erreichen können. Auch wenn man sich aufgrund seiner eigenen Lebenssituation nicht dieser Vision anschließen kann oder möchte, erhält man wertvolle Anregungen, die man auch im Kleinen umsetzen kann.
Für mich war das Buch absolut lesenswert und hat reichlich Themen für interessante Gespräche und Diskussionen im Kollegenkreis geliefert. Zu erwähnen ist noch, dass die Englische Sprache im Buch sich auf einem hohen und durchaus anspruchsvollen Niveau befindet.
- DaveReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 21, 2017
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for anyone in the knowledge economy
The first half of this book is a fantastic primer on the reality of corporate employment for knowledge workers. While it is developer-centric, this is still essential reading for anyone in a knowledge-based job.
If you follow the author's blog (and you absolutely should) you may hesitate over whether this book contains enough added value to be worth a purchase. In my opinion it definitely does. As well as being more cohesive and well edited than the blog, there is plenty of original material. Earlier blog posts are often referenced and can sometimes provide deeper background or an insight into Dietrich's early thoughts.
A must-read for anyone in the knowledge economy.