I don't think its pointless to debate which language is best, or that it is not interesting anymore. I still find it interesting.<p>But more than that, I think it really doesn't have anything to do with labeling yourself a 'java developer' or 'rails developer'.<p>When programmers add titles like that, it usually means (or should mean) they have a lot of specific expertise on a particular language/framework. And of course this knowledge is not easily transferable from one technology to the other as one might think.<p>If you have a shop with ASP MVC product and are looking for a hire, you could hire a 'rails dev' or even a 'struts dev', but that won't be the same as hiring an 'ASP MVC dev' or even any programmer 'like a systems programmer' or 'firmware programmer' to fit the bill.<p>Of course they can all program, but those are very different beasts and the title makes a difference. The title helps you get a programmer with an experience and knowledge set which is more closely aligned with what you need.