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The reason men are more inclined to program is autism. Thinking systematically and enjoying some level of solitude are traits that make a good programmer. It's

The reason men are more inclined to program is autism. Thinking systematically and enjoying some level of solitude are traits that make a good programmer. It's no coincidence that men are 4.5x more likely to be diagnosed with autism[1]. Look at any early interview with Zuck or Gates or Musk or Jack - it's like an educational video on how to spot mild Asperger Syndrome. [1] https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

altano 9y ago
This is what programmers tell themselves but it sounds bizarre to me. 1) There is almost no profession where thinking is required for which "Thinking systematically and enjoying some level of solitude" isn't helpful. Programming isn't special in this regard. 2) Having empathy with your users seems even more important to me, and a lack of this is the cause of a lot of shitty software. Also, Mark Zuckerberg doesn't strike me as being Asbergery at all but maybe that's just because I work at Facebook.
- deleted 9y ago
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- briholt 9y ago
  You seem like someone who is way outside of the autistic spectrum. Imagine the sound of other people talking sounding like nails on a chalkboard. Now imagine working a job in sales, biz dev, marketing, customer support, investing, legal, management, child care, or HR. How many hours can you go in a day without hearing that screeching sound? Maybe 1/2 hour if you tried hard? Now imagine working in a good programming environment where you can frequently spend 1-3 hours without talking to anyone, and when you reluctantly do it's for very short periods with people who understand you don't like talking. Or maybe you can just work at home and almost never deal with anyone. Are you the type of person who wants to spend weeks at home, alone, no travel, no dinners, with almost no human interaction outside of say 4 family/close friends? A very large number of programmers I've met are.
- SimbaOnSteroids 9y ago
  There is a common misconception that autism means not having empathy with people, its more of lacking the tools to express that empathy and pick up on other social cues.
- smsm42 9y ago
  > Having empathy with your users seems even more important to me, and a lack of this is the cause of a lot of shitty software. Ideally, yes, it would be nice, in practice - not at the least. That's why there is a separate occupation (or several) created to bridge the gap. But the gap is real, and yes, this is the cause of a lot of shitty software, but that's exactly what we've got. Not that "empathy with your users" is an easy thing - there is a vast diversity of users, and it requires extraordinary abilities to be able to predict their feelings and needs. That's why user tests and focus groups exist - because it's usually the only way to get some feeling of it.
- webvictim 9y ago
  Watch some early videos of Zuck and it'll be much more obvious. He's had a lot of training in public speaking and engagement and he's a ton better than he used to be now. I'm not saying he's autistic, but he has the same temperament and characteristics as people who have mild Aspergers - essentially what the OP said.

altano 9y ago

This is what programmers tell themselves but it sounds bizarre to me. 1) There is almost no profession where thinking is required for which "Thinking systematically and enjoying some level of solitude" isn't helpful. Programming isn't special in this regard. 2) Having empathy with your users seems even more important to me, and a lack of this is the cause of a lot of shitty software. Also, Mark Zuckerberg doesn't strike me as being Asbergery at all but maybe that's just because I work at Facebook.

deleted 9y ago
[deleted]
briholt 9y ago
You seem like someone who is way outside of the autistic spectrum. Imagine the sound of other people talking sounding like nails on a chalkboard. Now imagine working a job in sales, biz dev, marketing, customer support, investing, legal, management, child care, or HR. How many hours can you go in a day without hearing that screeching sound? Maybe 1/2 hour if you tried hard? Now imagine working in a good programming environment where you can frequently spend 1-3 hours without talking to anyone, and when you reluctantly do it's for very short periods with people who understand you don't like talking. Or maybe you can just work at home and almost never deal with anyone. Are you the type of person who wants to spend weeks at home, alone, no travel, no dinners, with almost no human interaction outside of say 4 family/close friends? A very large number of programmers I've met are.
SimbaOnSteroids 9y ago
There is a common misconception that autism means not having empathy with people, its more of lacking the tools to express that empathy and pick up on other social cues.
smsm42 9y ago
> Having empathy with your users seems even more important to me, and a lack of this is the cause of a lot of shitty software. Ideally, yes, it would be nice, in practice - not at the least. That's why there is a separate occupation (or several) created to bridge the gap. But the gap is real, and yes, this is the cause of a lot of shitty software, but that's exactly what we've got. Not that "empathy with your users" is an easy thing - there is a vast diversity of users, and it requires extraordinary abilities to be able to predict their feelings and needs. That's why user tests and focus groups exist - because it's usually the only way to get some feeling of it.
webvictim 9y ago
Watch some early videos of Zuck and it'll be much more obvious. He's had a lot of training in public speaking and engagement and he's a ton better than he used to be now. I'm not saying he's autistic, but he has the same temperament and characteristics as people who have mild Aspergers - essentially what the OP said.