One of the reasons it seems outlandish to us here is that computer stuff generally requires a mental acuity that is difficult to achieve when you're strung out

One of the reasons it seems outlandish to us here is that computer stuff generally requires a mental acuity that is difficult to achieve when you're strung out on drugs/partying. So people like this typically wash out pretty fast. But I did once work with a "Chief Architect of Data Science" who was only putting in 10 hours a week remotely for what was supposed to be a full time position. The magic trifecta was that he was well credentialed, somebody's crony, and completely full of shit; so the hedge fund guys employing him didn't know any better.