zlacker

> I have this bias that people who get into programming as kids tend to end up as the strongest developers.

I don't think this is true. I think that this bias is pushing away a lot of people who could be those strong developers, but think it is already too late for them.

>>watwut+(OP)
Early exposure has some impact.

>>watwut+(OP)
This should definitely correlate. If you want to be strongest in sports you have to start early. Same with programming. You will not only have more experience timewise, but also brain is more malleable in the young age to make the person naturally have the correct mindset.

>>watwut+(OP)
I just want to point something out -- it's not clear that you're making the mistake I'm referring to, but it's a common bone of contention.

Your second sentence is an "ought sentence". It's about how we would like the world to be (a world where everyone who has the potential to be strong at something doesn't get discouraged)

Your first sentence is an "is sentence". It's a statement about how you think the world is.

Putting the second sentence after the first makes some people think that you're confused about the relationship between "is" and "ought". This is a criticism often levelled at the more daffy left-wing/liberal/progressive extremes -- that they refuse to confront the distinction between how the world is and how we would like it to be.

People who want liberal/left political thought to be rescued from dumb 21st century "progressives" find this sort of thing upsetting when it comes from someone who, as in your case, obviously is expressing a worthy sentiment.