Wouldn't they be unaffected when the ATF comes and raids that one storage space? Or would the ATF be so heavy-handed as to barge into everyone's space and shut the company down?
I'm certainly not/not going to be the world's most stellar programmer, but I have to look at the other people in my class who are obviously holding up the rest of the students through their complete misunderstanding of the material.
Sure there is potential in everyone, and most likely a career path for any number of variables involved in producing a quality software product. But when a person is taking their second class in a programming language, and you ask them to show you their switch statement, and all you get is blank stares, is it your place to think that they need to find something else?
Obviously this is all from my personal experience, and I don't profess to know all the answers. But, as a general question, how do you handle a fellow student who is obviously not getting the coursework, and if they achieve the same degree will lessen the effectiveness of said degree from the same institution?
That's a very good point, one that I hadn't considered. Although I don't think that being able to study and doing a little research are mutually exclusive.
But, as you say, most likely a person who doesn't have the ability/desire to study and learn about a certain subject probably wouldn't take the time to consider the time and effort involved.
There are many layers involved which lead up to this point. The teachers, parents, peers and selves all play a large part in how a person learns. A good combination of the involvement of each is needed to produce an upstanding member of society.
You do make very good points, and I can't disagree with you. The article wasn't meant to be a blanket statement involving all programmers. It was rather meant to be a rant about how a lot of people who begin to go down that path either don't know what they're getting themselves into, or just simply don't care what kind of burden they are putting on others.
As for the statements of advice, you are correct. They are indeed broad, and would do with a good bit of expansion. This wasn't meant to be the alpha and omega of posts about what it means to be a programmer.