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Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

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Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#181

Post by spdustin »

swayvil wrote: post #98
informatimago wrote: post #3

Basically, intelligence is a speed of processing. Assumedly every human being, given enough time, would be able to solve the same set of problems. The thing is that we only have 80 years to solve them! And also, there are more problems to be solved than anybody can in this small time frame, even with a IQ of 1000 (speed of processing). Now what does that mean for the slower minds, in a competitive environment? You ca…

Intelligence, the engineeringly problem-solving version anyway, looks like focus to me. So the superfocused win. The autistics win. But those guys like to eat their own poo.

FFS, autism isn't about focus. Find a more meaningful and less insulting word.

You'll find that those on the spectrum who gravitate to technology jobs do so not because they can focus any better, but because they are more comfortable with systems that are predictable (computers) rather than capricious, condescending, noisy and random (humans).

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#182

Post by D-Coder »

eldavido wrote: post #111

First, recognize that this is the feeling of learning . Being the smartest in the room is great for the ego, less so for long-term growth and improvement. So be thankful. As far as the prima donna attitude, first realize that in a typical software company everyone is insanely busy all the time and you need to negotiate some kind of mutually acceptable situation for how you can learn. Being on the receiving end of bei…

Another small practical tip: Instead of asking questions 10x/day, arrange a daily chat (maybe half an hour) so you can combine them and interrupt only once a day.

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#183

Post by Simiyu1 »

spdustin wrote: post #181
swayvil wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Intelligence, the engineeringly problem-solving version anyway, looks like focus to me. So the superfocused win. The autistics win. But those guys like to eat their own poo.

FFS, autism isn't about focus. Find a more meaningful and less insulting word. You'll find that those on the spectrum who gravitate to technology jobs do so not because they can focus any better, but because they are more comfortable with systems that are predictable (computers) rather than capricious, condescending, noisy and random (humans).

It is very tempting to classify people. It makes you have the illusion of understanding their behavior. Don't fall into the trap. People my think a certain way twenty years and change in a day. I have heard tjat people think in a million different ways....

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#184

Post by Bahamut »

You should have an honest discussion with the co-worker(s) about their attitudes - speaking from experience of having done the same to another, it often is not intentional. It is usually done out of frustration from being overtasked and having to teach/walk someone through something on top of normal work.

For #1, say straight up that you don't appreciate the other person's attitude if it comes up. We are professionals, and so each person should be treated with respect. If someone fails at that, it needs to be addressed pronto, or it will just repeat itself.

For #2, from what I can tell, it is unfortunately - the expectation is sink or swim, the junior developers need to find a way to make things happen. I was fortunate and scored my first job at a non-profit, where I had the freedom to experiment & learn, as well as do heavy pair programming.

For #3, absolutely not. I personally stress that I am willing to mentor people when I interview them, and carve out time to help as much as possible. I have some stellar co-workers who do the same. I also have put in a lot of work to help change the culture at my company, especially on the engineering side. I stress mentorship and collaboration - even a junior developer can help change things for the better with the right people skills and strength of mind.

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#185

Post by freedevbootcamp »

If you are new or just starting out, keep being the dumbest person in the room but show them you know how to troubleshoot and solve problems and are willing to get up to speed quickly. If you feel like you're being misrepresented as an idiot when you have equal skills, start muscling your way into the really hard problems and show them you have what it takes to kick some ass and get shit done. This is the typical small fish in big pond scenario, you just have to get pumped up and show them your a big fish in a bigger pond.

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#186

Post by hackedips »

"My teammates have tons of experience, and there is a clear “every man for himself” mentality. Most of them have big egos and really rotten and bitter attitudes. They are stars, they know it, and treat people who are not at the same level like idiots (like idiot me)."

I'd get the fuck out of there as fast as possible. With that kind of environment, it is only a matter of time before it crashes and burns.

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#187

Post by spdustin »

Simiyu1 wrote: post #183
spdustin wrote: post #181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FFS, autism isn't about focus. Find a more meaningful and less insulting word. You'll find that those on the spectrum who gravitate to technology jobs do so not because they can focus any better, but because they are more comfortable with systems that are predictable (computers) rather than capricious, condescending, noisy and random (humans).

It is very tempting to classify people. It makes you have the illusion of understanding their behavior. Don't fall into the trap. People my think a certain way twenty years and change in a day. I have heard tjat people think in a million different ways....

I speak as someone "on the spectrum" and the father of a boy "on the spectrum" - it's not a sweeping generalization, it's a matter of how the brain differences affect the "theory of self" in the "autistic mind", to turn a phrase.

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#188

Post by kukudi1028 »

I think you should understand a few things:

1. Experience is temporary. It means either you or your coworkers can be better or worse someday. For the moment they look more experienced than you are. But it's not forever if you keep learning while they think they can relax.

2. Experience is not a solid proof of knowledge and skills. It's only one of the many reasons that lead to success. What are the others? What are the things that you can't do without experience?

3. Both making fun of other people and thinking people make fun of you is a waste of time for the real genius. They know what make them feel good is not from others.

4. Keep learning is always the right thing to do. Don't think it's intense or tiring. It's always this intense and tiring. If you don't know if it's worth it, just keep doing it and you'll find out. You can't say if climbing a mountain is worthy unless you yourself is on the top.

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#189

Post by swayvil »

spdustin wrote: post #181
swayvil wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Intelligence, the engineeringly problem-solving version anyway, looks like focus to me. So the superfocused win. The autistics win. But those guys like to eat their own poo.

FFS, autism isn't about focus. Find a more meaningful and less insulting word. You'll find that those on the spectrum who gravitate to technology jobs do so not because they can focus any better, but because they are more comfortable with systems that are predictable (computers) rather than capricious, condescending, noisy and random (humans).

Autism, being "on the spectrum" is very much about focus. It is permanent focus. A chronic pinching of awareness. You are stuck, focused. Bright and narrow. It is a different shape of human. It brings a strength and a weakness.

I speak from personal experience. I've been studying the subject my whole life. My family has much AS.

Also, the discipline of meditation sheds much light on it.

Re: Ask HN: I am the dumbest person in the room. What should I do?

#190

Post by slopnv »

spacemanmatt wrote: post #16
darkxanthos wrote: post #8

Here's a different perspective: Don't compete along the dimension where you're outmatched. Sounds like you could win a lot of points by playing the grasshopper to their kung-fu master and act as the glue for the group working to gain a holistic view of the team. What other holes in their skillset can you fit in?

Holistic hole-filling is pretty much my secret sauce. I endorse this tactic.

May you expound on this holistic hole-filling? Thanks!
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