Brent A. Yorgey, a computer science and mathematics professor at Hendrix College, has issued a reflective message to his students urging them to prioritize ethics, craftsmanship, and human values over the prevailing industry trends. Published on April 27, 2026, the letter addresses the current state of the technology sector, which Yorgey describes as increasingly unstable and ethically compromised. He expresses concern that the software industry often values quantity over quality, short-term profits over sustainability, and the exploitation of cognitive biases. Yorgey questions the morality of training students to enter a field where entry-level jobs are scarce, intellectual property is disrespected, and resources are wasted on tools designed to surveil or harm rather than to help. Yorgey emphasizes that his original motivation for entering computing was the beauty of ideas and the desire to build tools that foster human relationships. He acknowledges a disconnect between these ideals and the current reality, where artificial intelligence is often pursued to create automated systems that function as digital slaves. Despite these challenges, he maintains his belief in the potential of technology to improve lives and hopes his students share this vision. The letter serves as a guide for graduates entering the workforce or continuing their studies, advising them to reject narratives of technological inevitability. He explicitly states that students should not assume they must accept the status quo. Instead, they are encouraged to make deliberate ethical choices and set personal boundaries before entering the profession. Yorgey advises against compromising principles for temporary gain, advocating for a career path defined by integrity rather than convenience. He stresses the importance of deep thinking and the creation of distraction-free environments to hone one's craft. This involves refusing to adopt technologies or workflows that contradict one's values, even if they are presented as essential by peers. Regarding technical standards, Yorgey urges students to care deeply about code quality. He advocates for refactoring code until it is elegant, writing clear documentation for other humans, and having the courage to move slowly when others are rushing to cut corners. Above all, he frames professional motivation as a choice between love and fear, urging students to be driven by a desire to care for people, relationships, and justice rather than by profit or productivity metrics. In addition to this letter, Yorgey maintains a firm personal stance against Large Language Models. He identifies as a generative AI vegetarian, refusing to use such systems in any capacity due to concerns regarding their reliance on exploited human labor and excessive resource consumption. He argues that technical capability does not guarantee positive contributions to human flourishing. This perspective is shared in a separate statement dated March 7, 2026, where he references the work of Sean Boots and aligns himself with those who find the current trajectory of AI development morally problematic. Yorgey's message to his students remains consistent: the future of computing depends on individuals who are willing to say no to harmful trends and insist on building technology that truly serves humanity.