If you're just doing it for the money, stop reading HN and go into finance. If you're quantitatively inclined, hedge funds, if not then i-banking and PE.
Seriously, if all you care about is money, go where the money is. It's certainly not in writing blogs and posting on HN.
My bet is people here do what they do for reasons other than money. It just so happens that HN-type talent is in high demand so one can usually earn some good money.
> if all you care about is money, go where the money is. ... go into finance
I've not seen clear evidence that "finance" is an especially reliable way for a reasonably smart person to make a lot of money. Mostly what I see is anecdote, which I consider worthless because NYC people and especially NYC finance people are full of shit about how much they make. It's the culture. Furthermore, to the extent that finance is well compensated it's hazard pay. Lots of burnout and layoffs. Also, unreasonable hours.
I personally know an engineer in suburban philadelphia who works for a firm that does elevator retrofit consulting for older buildings. He's worth tens of millions. I have met a very rich guy who built up two plants that produce pasta. I indirectly know a very wealthy guy who flies around the world consulting on expanding sewage treatment plant capacity. I also had a wealthy old guy neighbor who just ran four car washes very well for many years.
I have yet to personally meet a very wealthy person who made the money in "finance". I also don't live in NYC, so take my estimations with a grain of salt.
The evidence that I can personally trust indicates to me the low risk, high probability way to get a lot of money is with niche industry expertise and risked capital. I also think there's a "where there's muck there's brass" thing going on where real physical businesses like climbing in elevator shafts, sewage plant pools, and grain towers are under-competed. Everyone wants a finance desk job.
Seriously, if all you care about is money, go where the money is. It's certainly not in writing blogs and posting on HN.
My bet is people here do what they do for reasons other than money. It just so happens that HN-type talent is in high demand so one can usually earn some good money.