Comments on: So you want to be a Rock Star Developer? Maybe you should reconsider.

By: THAT-dude

THAT-dude — Fri, 20 Feb 2015 00:31:17 +0000

So much skepticism. RockStars exist, and they are not narrowly focused. To be a true RockStar, you need to have broad and deep coverage. That's what enables you to outperform everyone else. When other people are getting stuck researching a problem, the RockStar is able to infer the most probable solution from their massive bank of knowledge and experience. They try it (very quickly, cause after all, they can do 10x the work), and if it doesn't work out, they try the next probable solution. You don't have to be exceptionally accurate when you can validate and iterate on your theories so quickly.

To put it more simply, it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert at anything. If you can do 10x the work as a normal person, that means you only have to put in 1,000 hours before your an expert. Now ramp that up to 10,000 hours after a decent start into your career, and well... do they even have a name for that kind of proficiency... oh yeah, rockstar ;)

That said, many rockstar's I have met (which isn't that many, just a handful), are usually lacking in non programming skills (such as communication, project management, documentation, etc...). The good ones will focus their extra time on improving those skills.

As proof, believe it or not, I've written 1MM LOC in under 6 months, resulting in a very functional, relatively bug free, commercial product on the scale of something like Microsoft Office (though totally unrelated). Further, the product was innovative and in fresh territory (as in, no competitive products, no answers on google, just completely on my own). I wouldn't do it again, because I was then on the hook to maintain 1MM lines of code, but I guarantee you, that's at least 10x a normal engineer. That's about 6K LOC a day. The average engineer I've worked with, puts out about 500 LOC a day, the best (but not rockstars), put out about 2K LOC a day. So its not a clear 10x mapping, but that's 12x a normal engineer, and 3x a great engineer. Screw with the numbers all you want, but there's still a clear divide between RockStar output and non RockStar output.

That said, enjoyable read, even though I don't totally agree with it. Thanks Morons!

By: JonnyTruelove

JonnyTruelove — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:36:21 +0000

You pass this off as LOGIC? that rockstars dont have room to grow when they make more money than the average person? Im sure they dont have a problem with that when they are sippin maitai's in aruba because they just made their boss a couple mil

By: Janice Dwelling

Janice Dwelling — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:17:58 +0000

Interesting thought. I have always wanted to be a developer, I think it’s quite an awesome job really, especially after seeing this http://biz30.timedoctor.com/salaries-around-the-world-awesome-new-infographic/ I don’t think there exists a job that’s very easy but you get to be paid a great deal of money. In any career you choose, there’s always a time where we feel we’re not satisfied and are challenged. It’s up to us if we choose to stay and find a way to improve or embrace some changes in our lives.

By: GROUCH

GROUCH — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 00:41:15 +0000

Growth is very much about stretching out into new and risky opportunities...I agree that if you're in a happy place, it will likely not last forever (most 'good' things don't). If you're a rock star you have options others don't and if your skill is your creativity, then technology is your media and you'll have no problems staying a rock star if you're will to take some risks. In that sense, Morons is right on the mark.

By: Daniel Saban

Daniel Saban — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:42:49 +0000

I read the original blog, not the following comments, yet... I think that the argument can be generalized to most technical professions (to more or less a degree), not just programmers. Engineers, scientists, researchers etc. all suffer from the same problem. This reality is one of the primary concerns I have about encouraging young people (my own kids for example) to enter a technical field. This is tragic considering the dire need for science, technology, engineering, and math practitioners in the work force now and in the future.

By: urbanyeti

urbanyeti — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 23:44:56 +0000

Eh, in fact half of my current group (12/25) are or could be rockstars. Only a lack of focus prevents them all from achieving drummer/bassist level, though not everyone has the potential for leadman. Just gotta know how to pick'em and don't forget that circumstance could be everything in some cases.

By: urbanyeti

urbanyeti — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 23:39:22 +0000

I've had exactly this experience at my job, and after much thought I've made the same assumptions and drawn all the same conclusions as the author of this post.

I know those who have spent an entire career, decades, without having their "Very Bad Day" realization. It sounds like many who commented are in this camp. Thank your lucky starts and soldier on.

But I've met many, many more who were or had the makings of being a rock star. These grognards, for one reason or another, decided to concentrate on other things in life. For me, I decided to start learning soft skills and getting into entrepreneurship; the spark being the realization of exactly what my billing rate was compared to how much I got paid, and the confidence (arrogance) that I could run things better. Why follow when you can lead. Otherwise you are doomed to work your ass off for little gain.

Oh, and don't confuse boss/manager/supervisor for leader. It isn't the same.

By: Morons

Morons — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:43:58 +0000

Why presumably into management? There are 100’s of places to go besides management!

PS: I didn't use the word “management” once in the Article, that was intentional.

By: svick

svick — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:55:55 +0000

But if one wants career growth [presumably into management] this is not the way to go.

Yeah, but not everyone wants to become a manager. And your articles are written as if you assumed that everybody does want that.

By: Morons

Morons — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:28:12 +0000

@Jim, @Martin, @Svick

Here is what you are missing; learning new Tech skills is not significant professional growth (at least not for a Rock Star, it may be for a fresh College Grad). What you are describing basically amounts to a lateral move. He has no additional responsibilites, None. So he was a Rock Star Java hacker, & now he is a Rock Star iOS Dev, So what? Why is the latter better than the former?

Let’s say this Superman Rock Star happens to learn and master every single technology on every single platform, how much more money will he make? IE How much more is his market value? I’ll tell you exactly what his market value is, it us valued at whatever the most marketable combination of IT skills he has is (as he can’t do two things at once).

Now, I say this again, there is nothing wrong with being a happy mediocre programmer, and there most certainly is nothing wrong with being a Rock Star programmer. I say live and let live. But if one wants career growth this is not the way to go.

Ps: If you want to discuss this further ping me in chat.