Let's accept this and move on: programming is seen as a lowly profession by most business and hr people. And it isn't going to change in the foreseeable future. But you know what? They need us more than we need them, right now. PG, Spolsky, and many others agree it's preposterous to try to change society. The way out is either start your own business or join a small team with similarly talented people.

Don't waste your life in a rat race.