♟️ The Metagame #047: The Full-Stack Human

Years ago, I wished I were a full-stack developer.

A full-stack developer is someone who can do it all. Build clean UIs, architect backend databases, handle authentication, deploy infrastructure. The whole stack.

But I was always more of a backend guy.

My day job at Peacock today is strictly backend. I manage the cloud infrastructure: networking, monitoring, and deployments. All the stuff that keeps the service running but never gets seen. When you log into Peacock and hit play, everything you see is built by other teams.

In my field, there is little recognition. No one applauds the pipes behind the walls.

But AI changed the game.

The developments in AI over the past few years, specifically its ability to write code, have turned me into a full-stack developer. What took me months in the past now takes me hours.

In 2025 alone, I've built over 6 fully functioning apps, websites, and tools. All of them are available on my website.

Some of them include:

• An iOS app for homeowners to track their home services

• An AI-photo generation and sharing site

• A word-of-the-day texting service

• An NBA betting algorithm

And those are just the ones I've shipped.

I didn't go back to school. I didn't quit my job to grind for two years.

I taught myself to use the AI tools we have available today. And I've started teaching others how to do the same—whether they're building their first app or automating a workflow for their business.

Why does this matter?

The job market is brutal right now for anyone in tech. Especially people trying to break in for the first time.

No one wants to hire a fresh-out-of-school, entry-level engineer. And honestly? I don't blame them.

While I don't think it's right to completely replace entry-level jobs with AI, the fact that companies can should be concerning to anyone not investing in skill development.

The people who will thrive in this new economy are the ones who can wear multiple hats.

You've probably heard the phrase:

It's often used as an insult—implying that being a generalist means you're mediocre at everything.

But the full quote tells a different story:

In an age where AI can handle the majority of specialized tasks, the person who can think across domains and connect the dots between design, code, marketing, and strategy has a massive advantage.

I call this being a "full-stack human."

You don't need to know everything. You just need enough skill across different areas to build, ship, and adapt.

The full-stack human can:

• Prototype an app without waiting on a developer

• Write copy without hiring an agency

• Analyze data without begging for a report

• Spin up infrastructure without an IT ticket

This isn't some far-off aspiration. With the tools we have today, anyone can learn this.

The barrier to entry has never been lower.

The question is: are you willing to invest in yourself before the market forces you to?

By the way, if you're interested in learning how to build with AI yourself, I'm running personalized 1-on-1 sessions teaching people exactly how I built all these projects. Reply to this email if you want more info.

Thanks for reading!

If you have any questions, hit me up on LinkedIn or on Twitter/𝕏 at @sam_starkman, or feel free to reply to this email!

— Sam