Jay Fields
Posts: 765
Nickname: jayfields
Registered: Sep, 2006
|
Jay Fields is a software developer for ThoughtWorks
|
|
|
|
Elitist or Optimist
|
Posted: Aug 5, 2008 10:16 PM
|
|
|
This post originated from an RSS feed registered with Ruby Buzz
by Jay Fields.
|
Original Post: Elitist or Optimist
Feed Title: Jay Fields Thoughts
Feed URL: http://feeds.feedburner.com/jayfields/mjKQ
Feed Description: Blog about Ruby, Agile, Testing and other topics related to software development.
|
Latest Ruby Buzz Posts
Latest Ruby Buzz Posts by Jay Fields
Latest Posts From Jay Fields Thoughts
|
|
The last few entries have focused more on the industry and leadership than usual. You might find that odd, but the reality is, I write about what I'm doing. When I'm coding in Ruby, you get Ruby entries. When I'm coding in Flex, you get Flex entries. Lately, I've spent more time shaping teams, processes, and individuals -- thus the posts of that nature.
A Scotch Drinker feels I've become Elitist.
I like scotch and scotch drinkers in general, so I gave his/hers entry some thought. You should read the entry if you care, I'm not going to summarize it. But, here's a few quick responses.- There's no question that I wouldn't have reached my position so quickly if the competition wasn't so weak. That's not a good thing.
- I dropped out of college, to say that I'm implying formal education is required is amusing. In fact, no where in my list of things I look for in a colleague do I mention education. I want talented colleagues, nothing more, nothing less.
- There are plenty of crappy jobs. You know what happens to them when you give them to good developers, they get automated or removed. Giving crappy jobs to crappy programmers is an answer, but not the best one.
While I don't agree with the content of the post, the premise might still be correct.Elitism is the belief or attitude that those individuals who are considered members of the elite — a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities, intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight... -- Wikipedia I can see where the scotch drinker is coming from. My minimum set of requirements might seem like I'm describing the elite. On the other hand, they might just be a good set of minimum requirements.
I think the difference is, I'm not saying we should fire all but a select group or that a select group should run the show. I'm suggesting that the current minimum requirements for being a programmer are disappointingly low and the products that those programmers produce are often terrible.
If you prefer, here's a more politically correct assertion: Any Net Negative Producing Programmer (NNPP) should find a new profession.
Removing the NNPPs doesn't mean that 50% of your colleagues should move on. My last client, TrafficBroker, didn't employ a single programmer that couldn't pass my requirements. They have no need to get rid of anyone. Conversely, my last full time job before ThoughtWorks was staffed with about 80% NNPPs. You're ratio will probably vary, 50% is based on working for ~10 different companies in the last 5 years and discussing my experiences with many friends from ThougthWorks.
As Josh Graham already pointed out, I'm not the first to say this. Yet, I still feel like it's worth brining up. I knew it would generate responses such as the one from scotch drinker, but it's worth taking some criticism. I hope my entry inspires a few more people to be more vocal with the unacceptable state of certain things in our industry.
As an industry we can do better. Every NNPP that finds a new profession helps our industry improve. I'm not looking for a software development elite community. I'm looking for a productive community. That's why my blog posts and presentations range drastically from very beginner to very advanced. I'll write anything that I think is helpful. But, NNPPs are uninterested or unable to improve, and I can't help them.
I'm not elitist, I'm a silly optimist that thinks a simple blog entry can help change an industry.
Read: Elitist or Optimist
|
|
Previous Topic
