The 10:1 ratio is an oversimplification. In some problem domains and with some languages, it's 25+:1 (or infinity:1); for others, it's only 1.5-2:1. Also, thoug

The 10:1 ratio is an oversimplification. In some problem domains and with some languages, it's 25+:1 (or infinity:1); for others, it's only 1.5-2:1. Also, though a project can be accomplished 10x faster and better if given to the right person, it's not the same people who are 10x more productive on every project. Finally, one's position on the scale improves (at least within a given field) with experience, so that the first 3 months in a new area are often less than 25% as useful as the next 3. Mediocre developers are short-term money losers, but some of them (the ones with curiosity and intelligence, whose mediocrity is a result of inexperience) will become great hackers, and thus, money-makers who, if treated well, will stick around for a salary much less than their value to their operation. Mediocre programmers are "overpaid" because this "call option" exists.