I am not so old, but I also remember a time when software development was much more enjoyable. The difference is that at the time software engineers had more autonomy to decide what to do. Nowadays everything seems to revolve around fads. If you're not into the latest fad or have some ideas that differ you'll suffer resistance all the way around: in the job, online, when doing hobby projects, etc. Even open source nowadays has to conform to some well-supported online fad, otherwise people will complain of what you do.