Reflecting decades later I think they were probably mostly insecure, and at the time I realised they were mostly only marginally competent.
"Only a fucking idiot would do that" meaning "I do not know what you are talking about but if I admit it I might look bad, so I will attack you instead"
Some times they were truly brilliant. I could call out some very famous project leaders (one of whom attacked me on a mailing list on a topic over which I was an expert and he was not. Deeply personal attacks) but I do not think it would be helpful. There are plenty of examples, and they are easy to find in old logs.
But times are changing and being a total prick to prove a point is not tolerated in the worlds I (mostly) move in now. It takes debate and reasoning to prove your point.
Should have happened thirty years ago. We lost a generation to fields where asbestos suits were not mandatory to participate. That was literally the advice for almost every forum back in the day "wear your asbestos suit"
Mostly white. But not only.
Reflecting decades later I think they were probably mostly insecure, and at the time I realised they were mostly only marginally competent.
"Only a fucking idiot would do that" meaning "I do not know what you are talking about but if I admit it I might look bad, so I will attack you instead"
Some times they were truly brilliant. I could call out some very famous project leaders (one of whom attacked me on a mailing list on a topic over which I was an expert and he was not. Deeply personal attacks) but I do not think it would be helpful. There are plenty of examples, and they are easy to find in old logs.
But times are changing and being a total prick to prove a point is not tolerated in the worlds I (mostly) move in now. It takes debate and reasoning to prove your point.
Should have happened thirty years ago. We lost a generation to fields where asbestos suits were not mandatory to participate. That was literally the advice for almost every forum back in the day "wear your asbestos suit"