That is the problem imo. Most tech workers want a big check and no work. Gross. I like the work. But i do get wanting to get a nut with little effort.

> a high paycheck and have some kind of association with being in tech and doing cool things

yeh, I can see how that is now mistaken for a definition of 'engineer' or 'hacker'.

I am sorry you never knew what engineering truly means.