[Zarathu]

I disagree.

I think that if the average programmer steps out once in a while to communicate with humans and keeps social momentum, he can differentiate between the two.

As a programmer, I don't talk to my friends like they're machines. I do, however, speak pragmatically and logically. I also use common sense.

I do have a little unproven, silly theory that good programmers are able to solve social conflicts easier because of good debugging skills. My life seems to be rather drama-free. I could just be full of shit, though. :)