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Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

blogs.law.harvard.edu

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Re: Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

#81

Post by willholloway »

koko775 wrote: post #59
willholloway wrote: post #21

The author of this would have his answer if he understood the IQ floor necessary to be a good engineer, access to computers at a young age and willingness to troubleshoot obscure problems is relatively rare in the population. There are far less high IQ individuals in the world than the world needs right now. We can teach coding to young people, but as of now we can't reliably increase IQ. We have studies that prove a…

I'm going to directly contradict you here and say that IQ increases reliably: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flynn_effect - IQ is a relative measure that is adjusted periodically. I also don't think that IQ is a direct mapping to programming skill. I also find the suggestion that there aren't enough smart people to be able to do programming highly questionable. There are far more people who are capable but not able to…

Yes, the Flynn effect shows that this is possible and occurring. I feel very strongly that humanity needs to radically accelerate this process, with drugs in the short term, and genetic therapies in the long term.

Re: Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

#83

Post by willholloway »

solistice wrote: post #62
willholloway wrote: post #21

The author of this would have his answer if he understood the IQ floor necessary to be a good engineer, access to computers at a young age and willingness to troubleshoot obscure problems is relatively rare in the population. There are far less high IQ individuals in the world than the world needs right now. We can teach coding to young people, but as of now we can't reliably increase IQ. We have studies that prove a…

Isn't Silicon Valled allready hooked on a constant supply of aderall and modafil? Now add Hydergine, Piracetam and Deprenyl into school lunches, and you've got your super children. Or hack whatever is broken with the educational systems around the world. I'm still in school (technical highschool, programming focus), and none of my friends that is worth his salt in programming is good in school, and that puzzles me be…

> Or hack whatever is broken with the educational systems around the world.

Our educational systems are broken yes, but what is even more broken are our memories.

I think that dramatically enhancing human memory is possible, and I think it's critically important.

Re: Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

#85

Post by rayiner »

tomkarlo wrote: post #73
jskulski wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see your point but I think "forgo" is a strong word. I have made and will continue to make a great salary with great benefits and be able to choose companies based on cultural fit. That's something that I would never give up for an extra 50k a year.

Yes, but you're also hanging around on HN. :) I'm thinking more of the other guy, who was just as smart as you but perhaps not in love with tech, and had to decide if he wants to give up 50K to be an engineer. (I think you're referring to choosing between engineering jobs - I meant choosing between career paths.) Also: it's sad that beyond the comp issue, they're often sacrificing prestige, at least in the US. It's j…

That's why you need to move to Silicon Valley, where being a programmer is considered prestigious by people in barbershops.

Re: Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

#86

Post by danielweber »

jh73 wrote: post #57
willholloway wrote: post #21

The author of this would have his answer if he understood the IQ floor necessary to be a good engineer, access to computers at a young age and willingness to troubleshoot obscure problems is relatively rare in the population. There are far less high IQ individuals in the world than the world needs right now. We can teach coding to young people, but as of now we can't reliably increase IQ. We have studies that prove a…

As a scientist, even mentioning IQ is a good way to lose your career in the US. It's frustrating because the general population are turning to off-label drugs and supplements. 30% of college students are taking some sort of ADHD drugs for performance enhancement and even more when including nootropics.

Do we know that those drugs actually help? I can easily see 30% of college students doing something because they think it helps.

Re: Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

#87

Post by tomkarlo »

rayiner wrote: post #85
tomkarlo wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, but you're also hanging around on HN. :) I'm thinking more of the other guy, who was just as smart as you but perhaps not in love with tech, and had to decide if he wants to give up 50K to be an engineer. (I think you're referring to choosing between engineering jobs - I meant choosing between career paths.) Also: it's sad that beyond the comp issue, they're often sacrificing prestige, at least in the US. It's j…

That's why you need to move to Silicon Valley, where being a programmer is considered prestigious by people in barbershops.

I did.

Re: Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

#88

Post by danielweber »

jpatokal wrote: post #16
coldcode wrote: post #2

Why isn't there a glut of baseball players who hit .408 in the major leagues? Because it's a rare person who can hit a ball thrown at nearly 100 MPH 40% of the time. Software engineers are common but people who deliver quality product after product is a rare bird. Programming at a high level is not as easy as this author seems to think.

Philip Greenspun, aka "this person", has a pretty solid resume when it comes to programming. http://philip.greenspun.com/personal/resume

He also wanted to make his employees work 70+ hour weeks:

Suppose that a programmer needs to spend 25 hours per week keeping current with new technology, getting coordinated with other programmers, contributing to documentation and thought leadership pieces, and comprehending the structures of the systems being extended. Under this assumption, a programmer who works 55 hours per week will produce twice as much code as one who works 40 hours per week

http://philip.greenspun.com/ancient-history/managing-softwar...

Re: Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

#89

Post by CmonNoReg »

"As Google hires all of the world’s good software engineers" - probably an exaggeration, but definitely not true. At least in UK salaries there are lagging, only good for experience and to have it on your CV. Any company is only hiring the best people they could identify of those who applied.

Re: Why isn’t there a glut of good software engineers?

#90

Post by CmonNoReg »

svachalek wrote: post #19
tempi35 wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why programming isn't a commodity skill? Or will become such commodity soon? Programming is like a house builder. Yes there are better and more experienced builders, but most of them can build a house top to bottom with no problem.

If houses were vaguely specified, constantly changing, enormously complex designs for invisible things that had to interface with an entire ecosystem full of other "houses" then yes, programming is like house building.

...also sometimes people start using the building while you are still making it. Also each builder has his own style. And there is no final blueprint.
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