[jwdunne]

I remember a meme going around that compared the two's achievements. Quite popular amongst programmers on Facebook. My response was something along the lines of everybody can understand Steve Job's achievements because he was a public-facing sales/showman. Dennis Ritchie's achievements certainly did help Job's achievements in a massive way, like any other publicly reknowned figure in computers as opposed to a reknowned figure in just the computing circle.

The problem is illustrated by when I explain unix and C to my mrs. Her eyes gloss over and I have to ask "I've lost you haven't I"?

It's a shame because emotionally I feel the injustice. I just know, logically, the reasons why. The tragedy is that I don't know a way to resolve the injustice.

[throwaway1967]

The public at large are indirect users of D.R.'s achievements but they are direct users of S.J.'s achievements.

There are no blockbuster movies about plumbers but they are the backbone of civilization and utterly thankless.

[jwdunne]

This is a good succinct summary. I'll remember this, thank you :)