An Open Letter To The Superstar Programmer

You assail your 'superstar programmer' without having informed us of what it is to be a 'superstar programmer'. This leaves your screed without any assertions. You could have first built up a mental model of what a 'superstar programmer' is, and then illustrated how the traits that make them a 'superstar' are in fact harmful. That's ok though, you are a sloppy thinker.

You make a series of very obvious criticisms against an anonymous bozo to which you attach the label of 'superstar programmer', thinking this is somehow actually a criticism of what other people think of when they think of a superstar programmer. That's ok, you skipped the day your philosophy 101 professor covered the definition of a 'straw man'.

In the end, you are insulting your readers more than the 'superstar', since to think that this person was a 'superstar' would mean you reader is full-blown retarded. Perhaps you mean 'superstar' in a pejorative sense, having read the many more well thought out blog posts that have recently been written using this term. Then you are just cribbing off others, without really having 'gotten it'. That's ok though, maybe you enjoy being the unrewarded toady to the would-be stars of internet-startup culture.

I get it. It is bad to be a poor programmer that also uses poor practices and also has bad social skills and also who stinks.

There are 2 things I would like to ask, though: 1. Why do we need a blog post saying 'it is bad to be bad and stink'. If we need that, I invite you to read my blog posts, entitled "eating, pros and cons" and "blog posts, what this one says" 2. What do you think people mean when they say 'superstar'?

Oh, and it was quite hard to refrain from using the term 'superstar blogger' in this comment. I hope you appreciated my restraint!

There are two possibilities here:

1. Have you considered that maybe the superstar programmer might really be pretty smart? The other person is obviously acting this way because he feels that you don't recognize his talents. And he might actually be correct.

2. Of course the other possibility is that the other programmer is genuinely an idiot who just wants to look smart. If that's the case, why does he still work for you? You're an architect, so I'd assume you have some pull with management on the subject. If not, have you considered that maybe the "superstar" isn't really the problem?

Here's what I would suggest. First of all, listen to the kid. And I mean listen to him honestly. Don't just let him talk and then smile and nod. The kid can probably tell pretty easily tell when you're doing that. You'd be surprised at what this can accomplish.

Secondly, realize that the kid might actually be trying to help. It isn't an excuse for him to act the way he has been, but it would mean that he might deserve a little bit more patience on your part.

Thirdly, it's obvious that the "superstar" has a different personality than you. Rather than fighting it, why not recognize that these kinds of differences are good? The "superstar" probably thinks differently than you, therefore he probably has strengths you don't. If that's genuinely not the case, why did you spend the time writing this blog post rather than an email to his manager?

It's tempting to react negatively to people that are different than you. I know, I've been there. In fact the "superstar" is probably undergoing the same thing. But it sounds like you are more experienced than him. It's your duty to be the one to help him to rise above these issues, and how can you do that when you're doing the exact same thing as him?

Look, there are tons of programmers out there that are extremely intelligent. This article was not pointed at all "smart" programmers. It is pointed at the ones who have let their ego's get out of control. It's pointed at the ones who lose focus of the big picture.

Just because you are talented in one area, does not give you a free pass in all other aspects of life. That was the point of the article. The target of this post was a collection of several different personality types, and to be honest.. myself many years ago.

I knew when I wrote this that it would be offensive to some. As I said.. I have been guilty and still am guilty of some of these things myself. I challenge you to take a hard look at yourself. I did and it has opened up many doors for me.

- Mark Snyder