This sounds exactly like something I would have written a year ago. Then, well, I found a wonderful little startup filled with Python hackers. They could have been Perl hackers, it doesn't matter. Bottom line, there is no hierarchy. Ideas rule. There is no pride. There is some push from outside forces in the "Java" way, but those forces are being resisted. Life is good. It's amazing the way you can work late and not care, and in general how much less confrontational and positive you can be. I wish more industry were like this, and I hope I can hold this job forever -- since I think very little of it IS like this. For the record, I still believe respect is earned and I do not respect people for their position, title, or paycheck. I am generally respectful of everyone on a human level of course, but defering isn't something I'm programmed to do, fortunately everyone seems to let ideas win out. There are exceptions, people that don't quite think that way, but they seem to be the minority. All I can say is, keep looking around, not all companies are evil.