[pdimitar]

I agree that there used to be an overlap between an academic and a programmer. But as you pointed out, it hasn't been the case for a long time.

Plus, I'm not really sure good practices mattered to them even back then. Academics, whether they're programmers or not, chase different goals and have other incentives.

Like you, I'd love listening to one of them one day (if anyone speaks up). I'm sure there will be a few pearls of wisdom in such a shared experience.