This post discusses the contentious issue of self-promotion versus authentic work in the tech industry, particularly for programmers and entrepreneurs. Users express differing views on the importance of showcasing work, with some emphasizing substance over style and others noting the pressures of self-promotion in a highly competitive environment. Key points include the challenge of balancing technical work with marketing oneself, the emerging necessity for software engineers to develop soft skills such as sales and writing, and the potential pitfalls of emphasizing self-promotion over quality work. Some commenters argue that genuine passion for work should guide decisions rather than the pursuit of popularity or influencer status. Trends highlighted include the growing number of individuals desiring to be influencers and the changing responsibilities of software engineers as AI takes over more technical tasks.