The “what camera do you use?” question will never not sting a little ahaha

Every time I share a photo I’m proud of, there’s almost always someone asking what camera I used.
And I get it, gear matters to some extent. But part of me always feels a bit (very) conflicted.

Like I didn’t spend years learning composition, light, timing, framing, and editing only for the result to be reduced to the camera body? It’s not even frustration, more like a subtle disconnect.

Because what made the image work often has very little to do with the gear itself.. no?
do you take it as a compliment, or does it hit a similar nerve for you?