Ask HN: How do I get my brother into programming?

Is he unhappy?

Because from your description, you didn't say anything about him other than he isn't living up to your standards. If he is unhappy and looking for more, you can offer to show him your industry and see what he thinks. Otherwise, let him live his life, and let him know you are there for him if he ever needs anything.

Just my opinion, but you might find something your brother is interested in that intersects with programming. The interest should drive the learning, so it becomes a hobby that keeps his interest vs becoming a "job" or chore. e.g. If he were into video games and game modding, show him how to write the mods or hacks to give him more control over the game. Start small and simple.

There are video games out there that pose challenges very similar to the one's one encounters when programming. Several commenters have mentioned in other threads that Factorio is such a game. (I never played it myself.) If that's the kind of game your brother is interested in, you might sell him on programming by saying: "In essence, it's just that, but paid."

I remember playing an educational web game long ago where you had to program a robot with a limited set of control flow statements so that it could autonomously reach a goal. The game had an isometric perspective and the robot had to react to all kinds of obstacles. If anyone remembers this game, please post a link. It was great but I didn't bookmark it.

Maybe get him to implement a bubble sort algorithm in Rust. That’s bound to do it.

Maybe introduce him to programming video games.

May I suggest the PS4 videogame Dreams?

Could be the perfect trojan horse to get him into programming.

Beware it's a MASSIVE time-sinker.

Maybe offer him a job?