I'm not going to comment on the article (which has some valid points) - What I did immediately notice is that Rob didn't really consider the implied meaning people usually ascribe to that idiom. So ...

- His actress friend really meant - "I don't think I'd be happy as anything other than an actress".

- His programmer friend really meant - "Generics have made a meaningful difference in my productivity and general work happiness".

While I'm making up assumed paraphrases for people I don't know (which feels disingenuous), is it really any worse than taking this phrase literally?

I can't imagine Rob meant it!