My problem is I like coding but can’t come up with projects I’m interested in. Everything that comes up exists or can be solved in a much simpler way (often a spreadsheet or an Apple note) that requires no software.
The analogy I like to apply when answering the question “everything already exists” is restaurants. Every conceivable type of food already exists and there have never been more restaurants and yet new ones are opening all the time. Why? Because there is always scope for minor variation/improvement. In software as in food, start by making something for yourself. Show it to your friends (HN) and get their feedback. Iterate from there. Yes, often ideas can be solved with a spreadsheet or note-taking app, but the UX of inputting and visualising the data is what matters.
But there is scope for major improvements in tech. Make software for fields which don’t receive a lot of attention. Alternatively, make accessibility enabled software so that everyone can use and enjoy the same resources
Totally agree. There's always scope for improvement especially in the field of accessibility. I was just highlighting that people should never think that "everything has already been done" because it really hasn't.
You may want to develop deep subject matter expertise!
As you become an expert on radio telescope arrays or the sport of curling you'll see the problems that are outside the scope of a spreadsheet. Meanwhile be part of the community surrounding it so they trust you and your understanding.
Otherwise you need a pathbreaking stroke of genius, a mountain of cash to burn, or the willpower and charm to get the world to choose your product app over the other 50 products that are very similar.
