It's very clear to me what the parent is saying. The people you give as example only got that recognition long after doing the work that established their caree

It's very clear to me what the parent is saying. The people you give as example only got that recognition long after doing the work that established their career. In an interview process at the start of their careers this work had not been done and their talent could hardly have been recognized in an interview process. Actually, after reading Masters of Doom I am pretty sure that a 20 year old Carmack or Romero would not get hired at any company in the entire state of California that has an HR team. This due to personality traits, lacking educational pedigree and poor work history.