Ahh, the "What every programmer should know about X" articles.

So, Ulrich Drepper thinks everyone should know about the intricacies of DRAM refreshing. Zed Shaw thinks we should all know statistics. Some other schmoe thinks we should know about SEO. Et cetera.

Posts like these should be titled "I worked hard and feel good about myself for knowing X, therefore everyone should know it."

It is blisteringly stupid. Every programmer needs to know WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW.

Nobody can know everything. Why don't we all just learn what we need, build the things which interest us, and stop telling others what THEY need?

Having said that... interesting stuff. Just needs a title change.