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I think programming attracts a certain type of perfectionist and controlling personality that has trouble admitting that nothing is ever going to be perfect. It

I think programming attracts a certain type of perfectionist and controlling personality that has trouble admitting that nothing is ever going to be perfect. It’s basically narcissism where the only source of truth is whatever this person says it is, and they judge other people for not doing things the same way they would. In reality no documentation is ever complete and all code has major flaws. Using that to tear down other people and raise yourself up is counter productive to everyone.

nuancebydefault 5y ago
Indeed, perfect is the enemy of good! Once worked with a purist (think uber-perfectionist) and there is just no way to handle that. Somewhat related, managers often think things are more simple than they really are, it takes a lot of effort to make them understand.
uoaei 5y ago
Colloquially those people are called "bullshitters", mired in rationalization that is dressed up as rationality.
imbnwa 5y ago
Should add that this sort of character may or may not be a competent engineer, so not only the competent type who makes stringent demands for perfection, but also the incompetent type who fights tooth and nail to maintain the status quo that they have a grasp on and feel empowered by.
vlunkr 5y ago
I'm painfully aware of this type of developer. Usually they really are very smart and talented, which is what allows them to act this way. In my experience, they are initially respected, then they eventually lose that through constant conflict and then leave with a bad reputation.
Supermancho 5y ago
Attributes of developers always include Hubris and Laziness. There are lots of startup-born developers who are not perfectionist by any means.
switchbak 5y ago
That sums up pretty well how I acted right out of school. Immature, controlling, impatient and off putting. It took a lot of humble reflection to see that I was being a pain in the ass, and to take the steps to be a better team mate. In my case it didn't help that our Dev manager was insufferable himself, but that's no excuse. Now people complain that I'm not assertive enough, go figure :)
- akiselev 5y ago
  > In my case it didn't help that our Dev manager was insufferable himself, but that's no excuse. Maybe it did. I seem to make the most progress when confronted with the same behavior that I exhibit, which sooner or later leads to asking “is this really how I make other people feel when I act like this person?” (The answer is almost always yes)

nuancebydefault 5y ago

Indeed, perfect is the enemy of good! Once worked with a purist (think uber-perfectionist) and there is just no way to handle that. Somewhat related, managers often think things are more simple than they really are, it takes a lot of effort to make them understand.

uoaei 5y ago

Colloquially those people are called "bullshitters", mired in rationalization that is dressed up as rationality.

imbnwa 5y ago

Should add that this sort of character may or may not be a competent engineer, so not only the competent type who makes stringent demands for perfection, but also the incompetent type who fights tooth and nail to maintain the status quo that they have a grasp on and feel empowered by.

vlunkr 5y ago

I'm painfully aware of this type of developer. Usually they really are very smart and talented, which is what allows them to act this way. In my experience, they are initially respected, then they eventually lose that through constant conflict and then leave with a bad reputation.

Supermancho 5y ago

Attributes of developers always include Hubris and Laziness. There are lots of startup-born developers who are not perfectionist by any means.

switchbak 5y ago

That sums up pretty well how I acted right out of school. Immature, controlling, impatient and off putting. It took a lot of humble reflection to see that I was being a pain in the ass, and to take the steps to be a better team mate. In my case it didn't help that our Dev manager was insufferable himself, but that's no excuse. Now people complain that I'm not assertive enough, go figure :)

akiselev 5y ago
> In my case it didn't help that our Dev manager was insufferable himself, but that's no excuse. Maybe it did. I seem to make the most progress when confronted with the same behavior that I exhibit, which sooner or later leads to asking “is this really how I make other people feel when I act like this person?” (The answer is almost always yes)