My main problem with this essay is the idea that the 'nerd' is a "few steps ahead" already.
I think this stems from pg's confusion of intellect (which he notes is not scalar but discusses it as if it is anyway) with 'nerdiness'. The nerd is no better (or generally, even that much smarter - many of the non-marginalised people will grow up to be just as bright and successful), they are simply marginalised for being different. And they have not created a judgement free utopia within their own circles either; their social constructs are every bit as abusive and oppressive to those who are different as the ones that marginalise them.
Nerds were never better, or smarter. They just weren't given the same opportunities to be as cruel.
The true evidence against the 'nerd' being superior is the society that they/we have created where we are in the majority. Look at the technology industry and look at how we all are desperate to conform. Look at the people who are different to what we consider normal/cool/popular and look at how we treat them.
As pg notes, people lash out/oppress/marginalise when they are insecure in their position. Perhaps people should try to truly understand how that has shaped the technology culture we have today.
Genuinely awesome concept. I hope you find a way to make it work within food/zoning regs because I think this is much more positive and communal than many other 'sharing economy' ideas.
It'd be great if you could figure out a way to provide social trust that wasn't through a FB login though.
This article completely misses the point of CodeSchool. CodeSchool's best selling point is exactly what the author is complaining about. I know how to program, I know how to design and analyse algorithms and I know my data structures inside out. I don't, however, know the best way to test Rails applications. CodeSchool provides a really accessible way for programmers to stay on top of the latest technologies, frameworks and idioms. It is not intended to replace a CS degree/education and I'm not entirely sure where the author even got that idea from.