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To be fair, Peter Norvig [0] isn't just another software engineer, he's a hardcore CS researcher, co-authored the most popular (pre-DL) AI textbook, was head of

To be fair, Peter Norvig [0] isn't just another software engineer, he's a hardcore CS researcher, co-authored the most popular (pre-DL) AI textbook, was head of NASA's Computational Sciences Division, etc. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Norvig https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Norvig

e_i_pi_2 4y ago
I think what they're saying is that some people are Peter Norvig and got lucky, and other people won't get there with any amount of study or practice. He's definitely not an average engineer, and as a result most people shouldn't expect to have the same level of ability I had the same thought - read the URL and then said "Oh well that's Peter Norvig he's just weird in a cool way"
- some_furry 4y ago
  My aspiration as a programmer and security engineer is to one day be regarded as "just weird in a cool way". Until that day comes, I keep working at it.
  - e_i_pi_2 4y ago
    That's also how I live my life haha, much less stress about people judging you if you can write it off as "yeah but I'm cool in other ways"
  - eointierney 4y ago
    Ha! Love this. Bet you're already weird in a wonderful way :)
- celim307 4y ago
  I’m conflicted on calling him “lucky”, and I don’t think you mean to discredit him, but yeah he’s had genetic and societal gifts but I’m sure his work ethic is what makes him exceptional
  - e_i_pi_2 4y ago
    For a measured response - yes I agree, it's a combo of luck and effort, but the effort can't compensate for the luck. For my true response that probably isn't as popular - he may have an amazing work ethic but that's also just coming from how he was raised, so it's still luck, the same person born in a different environment wouldn't have done the same things - both nature and nurture are external forces
    - LoRaBlood 4y ago
      I don't think his work ethic comes from his upbringing - our parents didn't push us that hard and my work ethic is average. It may come from the fact that he found what he loves to do early in his career, it may come from my Dad's genes (his work ethic was pretty good), or a combo of both
    - navane 4y ago
      If he is halve the genes given to him, halve what his environment has given to him, does he even exist? Do any of us exist?
      - chii 4y ago
        Only if you conflate the meaning of your own existence with the achievements you make.
      - bruce343434 4y ago
        we exist as water in a river
    - WalterBright 4y ago
      Geez, I've been told I have an unfair advantage because I have a predilection for working hard. At what point should people stop making excuses and claiming to be a victim?
      - Frondo 4y ago
        What is the point of this? Who are these people who are making excuses and claiming to be victims -- and victims of what? If there is a grievance you're making, can you elaborate on that?
rbancroft 4y ago
And he was probably one of the worlds foremost experts on this at the time given his position at google, haha.

e_i_pi_2 4y ago

I think what they're saying is that some people are Peter Norvig and got lucky, and other people won't get there with any amount of study or practice. He's definitely not an average engineer, and as a result most people shouldn't expect to have the same level of ability I had the same thought - read the URL and then said "Oh well that's Peter Norvig he's just weird in a cool way"

some_furry 4y ago
My aspiration as a programmer and security engineer is to one day be regarded as "just weird in a cool way". Until that day comes, I keep working at it.
- e_i_pi_2 4y ago
  That's also how I live my life haha, much less stress about people judging you if you can write it off as "yeah but I'm cool in other ways"
- eointierney 4y ago
  Ha! Love this. Bet you're already weird in a wonderful way :)
celim307 4y ago
I’m conflicted on calling him “lucky”, and I don’t think you mean to discredit him, but yeah he’s had genetic and societal gifts but I’m sure his work ethic is what makes him exceptional
- e_i_pi_2 4y ago
  For a measured response - yes I agree, it's a combo of luck and effort, but the effort can't compensate for the luck. For my true response that probably isn't as popular - he may have an amazing work ethic but that's also just coming from how he was raised, so it's still luck, the same person born in a different environment wouldn't have done the same things - both nature and nurture are external forces
  - LoRaBlood 4y ago
    I don't think his work ethic comes from his upbringing - our parents didn't push us that hard and my work ethic is average. It may come from the fact that he found what he loves to do early in his career, it may come from my Dad's genes (his work ethic was pretty good), or a combo of both
  - navane 4y ago
    If he is halve the genes given to him, halve what his environment has given to him, does he even exist? Do any of us exist?
    - chii 4y ago
      Only if you conflate the meaning of your own existence with the achievements you make.
    - bruce343434 4y ago
      we exist as water in a river
  - WalterBright 4y ago
    Geez, I've been told I have an unfair advantage because I have a predilection for working hard. At what point should people stop making excuses and claiming to be a victim?
    - Frondo 4y ago
      What is the point of this? Who are these people who are making excuses and claiming to be victims -- and victims of what? If there is a grievance you're making, can you elaborate on that?

rbancroft 4y ago

And he was probably one of the worlds foremost experts on this at the time given his position at google, haha.