I couldn't agree with this guy more. The cultural dynamic has led to more than a few awkward conversations about how programming doesn't interest you anymore. Then there's some equally silly remark on how one could remedy the problem with -insert-deux-ex-machina- here. Or an even more awkward defensive remark about how X is still interesting, the other guy just hasn't seen aspect A of X.
It's nearly impossible to talk about things like work ethic and the psychology of motivation with such a dynamic. People tend to fall into one of three camps: that they do work simply because it has to be done (i.e. it's a responsibility, so shut up), that they do their work because of the money it earns them, or that they'll only do those things that pulls their heartstrings. You don't get very far when a conversation usually devolves into some sort of argument over philosophies or personality traits.
Perhaps that's why Self-Determination Theory works so well: it bypasses the problem entirely. In the context of a conversation however, I wonder whether the smart thing to do is to keep quiet because there does not seem to be a right answer. I personally came from the third camp, but doing a startup quickly teaches you that passion alone can't carry you the whole way.
I wonder how many other creative industries suffer from this problem, and in what way, because I'm sure that the problem manifests itself differently depending on the field.
