In order to not get distracted w/ the routines that produce less than elite programmers :)
my point was, why should we invest in trying to produce elite programmers?
If the word "elite" was replaced with "competent" would you still ask why? I think the underlying question is a good one.
I don't know why you or anyone else in particular would. I do think there are people out there looking forward to become the very best they can, and it seems to me there is not enough adequate guidance.