The idea that programmers should be modern day monks that have no families and spend their days programming and in quiet contemplation is completely ridiculous.
I'm not saying they should.
But, I'm sure you've heard the terms "geek syndrome" or "pizza-box coder"? Or the whole nerds vs jocks thing, including the "Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for one." that is usually mis-attributed to a commencement speech that Bill Gates apparently (per Snopes) didn't actually give?
Or the "Unix greybeard" persona, and the big push a few years back to recognize that computer people really don't all look like that?
These things did not come out of nowhere.
Who is this "us" and "we" you speak of? I have to work with my coworkers, so all other things equal I prefer it when they are socially competent.
Yep, same here.
I think you are reinforcing a very harmful stereotype, where you have to be a computer-obsessed social pariah to have a successful career in tech.
No. That used to be a common side-effect or correlate of interest in tech.
I am saying that the people we're trying to attract into the field now (and for the most recent decade or two), are not like the people who voluntarily chose to enter the field in the more distant past.
I am saying that these people are not likely to care about the same incentives.
I am saying that the quantitative change in the field has necessitated a qualitative change in new entrants, which makes "back in my day" a very poor argument for what's appropriate or effective.
Perhaps you should reflect on those beliefs, and whether they are based on objective facts or perhaps something you tell yourself to avoid feeling inadequate about your interpersonal skills.
You mean the beliefs you wrongly claimed I hold, based on your presumption that my claims of what is (or in this case, was) were really just disguised claims of what should be?
And my interpersonal skills are just fine now, thank you. Because I made a point of learning them in my early 20s, after seeing how useful they were to my new coworkers.
I'm not saying they should.
But, I'm sure you've heard the terms "geek syndrome" or "pizza-box coder"? Or the whole nerds vs jocks thing, including the "Be nice to nerds. You may end up working for one." that is usually mis-attributed to a commencement speech that Bill Gates apparently (per Snopes) didn't actually give?
Or the "Unix greybeard" persona, and the big push a few years back to recognize that computer people really don't all look like that?
These things did not come out of nowhere.
Who is this "us" and "we" you speak of? I have to work with my coworkers, so all other things equal I prefer it when they are socially competent.
Yep, same here.
I think you are reinforcing a very harmful stereotype, where you have to be a computer-obsessed social pariah to have a successful career in tech.
No. That used to be a common side-effect or correlate of interest in tech.
I am saying that the people we're trying to attract into the field now (and for the most recent decade or two), are not like the people who voluntarily chose to enter the field in the more distant past.
I am saying that these people are not likely to care about the same incentives.
I am saying that the quantitative change in the field has necessitated a qualitative change in new entrants, which makes "back in my day" a very poor argument for what's appropriate or effective.
Perhaps you should reflect on those beliefs, and whether they are based on objective facts or perhaps something you tell yourself to avoid feeling inadequate about your interpersonal skills.
You mean the beliefs you wrongly claimed I hold, based on your presumption that my claims of what is (or in this case, was) were really just disguised claims of what should be?
And my interpersonal skills are just fine now, thank you. Because I made a point of learning them in my early 20s, after seeing how useful they were to my new coworkers.