[knowtheory]

Yeah, one of the huge problems our field has is that it doesn't give people a solid sense of how you upgrade your skills and what kind of waypoint you're at relative to others (and that that's okay!).

It is magnificent to encourage newcomers to the field. We should also have level playing fields for folks to participate with everyone (and not stratify further than we already do). But it sucks when these sorts of objectives collide and end up alienating people. (and heck sports have awards for rookies for example!)

The other thing that's really gear-grinding about OP is that... we're judging our worth based on what happens in hackathons? I hope to $deity most people aren't doing that, because hackathons are super slanted POVs on the world.

[orbitur]

(and heck sports have awards for rookies for example!)

Well, for rookies who outperform what's expected of rookies... rookies who perform at the same level as their more experienced peers.

[wayfarer2s]

Actually no, in most professional leagues the rookie of the year/season award is handed out to the best rookie whether that rookie performed below, above, or at the same level as their more experienced peers. They are graded only against other rookies.

[chralieboy]

absolutely. The rookie of the year award is still amongst professional athletes. It isn't a consolation prize.