[Haskell-cafe] Re: Haskell in Industry

[Tom Hawkins]

> Good, we need more functional programmers actually solving real
> problems.  But please put your skills to work in an industry other
> than investment banking.

I've received a lot mail on this comment; mostly positive.  Here's one
from someone who wishes to remain anonymous:

> First of all I would like to say that I like your work regarding e.g.
> Atom. Second, I would like to know what exactly is bad about a Haskell
> job in investment banking as a lot of good programmers work in this
> industry.

It's disproportionate.  95% of the job offerings in functional
programming are with investment firms.  I believe investment banking
is important, but does it really need to dominate a large percentage
of the world's top tier programmers?  Is computing the risk of
derivative contracts more important than pursuing sustainable energy,
new drug discovery, improving crop yields, etc.  Some will argue
investment banking enables all of these things -- and I'm sure many
people in the industry go to work everyday feeling proud of their
contributions.  But I just think most of this talent is going in to
improve the bottom line and little else.

(Yes, I realize that's were the money is, and that's who's hiring.
Actually I'm very glad.  Investment banking is the first industry to
adopt functional programming on a large scale.  And others will
follow.)

-Tom