[thebrokencube]

My problem with this is that a lot of programmers/hackers/etc. are pretty good at interacting with each other, but maybe not quite as proficient at interacting with the rest of the populace.

Like for example when you're in the middle of working and someone comes to talk to you, maybe you're just so focused on the problem that you don't realize they're there or you don't want to draw your attention away from the problem, and then that person sees it as disrespect and signs of social awkwardness, while you're just trying to get your job done.

Or if you're in the middle of trying to solve a problem and you ask someone bluntly for something (because you're so focused on the problem) and they take it the wrong way.

I'm not saying that a complete lack of social skills is good either; just maybe that the target of these social skills is the manager, or the sales people, etc. and not the people you're doing all the work with.