[visarga]

> I think we're doing a huge disservice by promoting this idea that programming is some super elusive thing

It's certainly not super elusive but it requires a specific kind of people that don't get anxious/frustrated when tackling complex systems, often badly documented. Some hate this kind of work, others love it. It involves having a certain type of personality as much as high IQ. Most men feel helpless when tacking such problems, too.

[c3534l]

> a specific kind of people that don't get anxious/frustrated when tackling complex systems

Eh, you learn to not let that get to you because you build up experience working through it over time. I think that's a learned skill, not an innate, immutable trait.

Also:

> Basic Cognitive Skills, as measured by standard cognitive ability tests, are not shown to be helpful in predicting programming proficiency

from http://pro.sagepub.com/content/27/7/647.short

[prawn]

There'd be a huge percentage of people who if you started them down the CS path would bail very early through frustration, not feeling comfortable with the topics, etc.

I imagine many of us learn to get better at aspects of it. Or we're more comfortable with what the job entails and so can make light of the frustrations and soldier on.

[c3534l]

That's definitely true. I suppose if I were teaching a CS course, I'd point out that it can be difficult at times and that being confused or challenged intellectually is a necessary part of growth, not something to be avoided.