[nitred]

> my point is that being able to discern and limit the possibilities to something reasonable is a skill that has nothing to do with seniority and everything to do with general (read: fixed) aptitude

I disagree with that.

You don't need to be a genius to be a good developer, you can be learn to be one or you can be mentored to be one. Some aptitude is required, but nothing extraordinary. Hard work obviously is a good thing, but not a pre-requisite.

P.S. Our success criterias might differ though. I'm not part of silicon valley or FAANG so my standards might be lower than yours.