I cant help but wonder, are these kind of posts on the HN front page because all the programmers are nervous about their jobs and looking to switch to maker/woodworking jobs? It scratches some of the same itches, for sure...

I feel like most tech-oriented folks are just simply all about solving problems.

I've always enjoyed doing stuff in the physical realm MUCH more than doing pure systems and software stuff. There's something about everything about the process between having an idea and getting a physical object at the end that you can touch and incorporate into your daily life. "I made this," is about a million times more satisfying to say than, "I bought this."

Transitioning into a maker role is VERY difficult. Every once in a while I tangle with the idea of building cabinets, tables, etc and every single time, the math just doesn't work out. Once you factor in labor costs (your time), you cannot build furniture at anywhere near the cost-effectiveness of a traditional cabinet shop. If you go up-market and try to cater to rich folks, then you're stuck with a much smaller market, which is made even smaller by the fact that those folks are looking for exceptional quality and who are usually more interested in creativity and authenticity than an amateur like me could ever master. They want a third-generation master woodworker who has been doing it for 50 years and built the cabinets that were installed in all of their friends/neighbors/other fancy homes in the area. They don't just want cabinets/furniture, they want a story to tell their friends and family.

But making my own furniture, cabinets, and shop tools as a hobby. Yeah, I dig that and get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

My grandfather was a custom cabinet maker and my dad was in construction. I've been in woodshops before I saw a computer (yes, I'm old enough for that to be possible). No matter what I've done for actual jobs, I've always enjoyed going back to building a physical thing.

engineers have long been interested in woodworking as a distraction from work. its one of the many dream jobs/hobbys for engineers when they get enough money

I think AI has played a role in more analog hobby adoption.

Who knows? :) I have to say that for me, making something physical is a greatly fulfilling diversion.