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(Edited for clarity.) Many of the most famous coders aren't just coders, but supercoders. Because software has a marginal cost of 0 (development cost rather t

(Edited for clarity.) Many of the most famous coders aren't just coders, but supercoders. Because software has a marginal cost of 0 (development cost rather than per unit manufacturing cost) there is pressure to become a supercoder. I have an analogy for this: Think of the life of a supermodel. Not just a normal model, but a supermodel. If you want to be a supermodel, I believe it's not enough to just diet while you're at work, and come 5 p.m. or the end of a shoot start gorging on chips, sugary beverages, fast food, candy bars and ice cream until shooting starts the next day. Instead I believe a supermodel is on a "diet" all the time, through their whole career; it's part of their lifestyle. They wouldn't be a supermodel if it weren't. Analogies are leaky but could this be true for "supercoders" too? Maybe a supercoder is not going to be able to clock out at 5 p.m. and not think about or touch code until the next day. Maybe it is a lifestyle. It seems clear that there are "supercoders", such as Linus Torvalds or John Carmack in the world. Are there any who don't have coding as a "lifestyle" and who just coded a few hours a day while they built their careers as a supercoder? As with being a supermodel, not everyone needs to be a supercoder, even to be a professional coder, and that's okay. However, I think supermodels are more beautiful than everyday people, and supercoders code better than the average coder, too. They command different salaries, dictated by supply and demand.

modo_mario 7y ago
A rather bad analogy. Super models are not unique in that they take their work home and watch their diet, their skin, etc Plenty of regular models and people that you'll find putting in the same or more. Sure they maximised their chance of success by putting in this effort and by getting out there, etc but that the end of the day they were still lucky with their features, who they met, that persons preferences, etc. As far as the actual topic goes. Sure there is pressure to become a super-coder and again there's some prerequisites like high intelligence but also drive that stems from passion and the ability to focus for extended periods of time. Is one of those things not found either naturally or because he's boxed into some employee role that coder isn't necessarily bad but unlikely to reach that status and is just gonna burn out.
vi-mode 7y ago
Maybe your analogy is not the best but you made a good point and I'd agree.

modo_mario 7y ago

A rather bad analogy. Super models are not unique in that they take their work home and watch their diet, their skin, etc Plenty of regular models and people that you'll find putting in the same or more. Sure they maximised their chance of success by putting in this effort and by getting out there, etc but that the end of the day they were still lucky with their features, who they met, that persons preferences, etc. As far as the actual topic goes. Sure there is pressure to become a super-coder and again there's some prerequisites like high intelligence but also drive that stems from passion and the ability to focus for extended periods of time. Is one of those things not found either naturally or because he's boxed into some employee role that coder isn't necessarily bad but unlikely to reach that status and is just gonna burn out.

vi-mode 7y ago

Maybe your analogy is not the best but you made a good point and I'd agree.