Earlier quoted context omitted.
>Do not identify yourself as "an X programmer," or as anything else. Yet every single programming job post these days is basically looking for someone with X years of experience in a long enumeration of specific technologies. The usual reason being "They need to be productive. Now."
I think that is also because hiring is generally busted, and recruiters who are not programmers don't know what else to ask.
However, I've noticed over this same time period that these screeners stumble into the office for a follow-up interview like giant toddlers: disheveled, incoherent, and totally self-involved. I wish this stereotype of the socially-awkward-yet-brilliant hacker would die in flames because it is not reality (or at best 2% of the community). Instead, this cultural delusion is convincing the socially awkward masses to seek out a job that is mostly about working closely with others, communicating constantly, and continuous compromise.
I have children in their 20's and I've seen how hard it can be to find your calling in life, but just because 99% of douche-bags earn a spot on reality tv that doesn't mean all stereotypes are true. Don't choose a job that you think fits your personality but that actually requires you to behave differently because you'll be miserable.