zlacker

>I think every carpenter wishes they could make furniture exclusively for the wealthy and famous. But they have to compete with all the other carpenters at similar skill level for their business.

I guess the metaphor applies here too. Some will take that pride and rise up. Some will take that pride and fall behind despite being equally qualified as the ones who rose. Others will coast along and make stable business.

I think where the metaphor breaks down is visibility. Sure, that cheap plywood isn't normally visible, but a customer who looks will find it. very few iphone consumers have the skills to find bad code and fewer care as long as it does what it is intended. It's probably more akin to selling hot dogs than selling a chair.