> a team composed exclusively of uncaring engineers is pretty much doomed to fail
Yes, but not because of the lack of passionate programmers, but because most software companies are dysfunctional. A few passionate souls can make a project succeed in spite of all the underlying dysfunction, but it's cruel of the industry to continue leaning on those people.
Teams of uncaring developers would consistently deliver working software on time and on budget if they were both trained in the same level of skill and given the same level of respect that let uncaring civil engineers build stable bridges on time and on budget. And I would certainly hate living in a society where the only thing between me and a smoking hole at the bottom of a gorge is one passionate civil engineer.
Yes, but not because of the lack of passionate programmers, but because most software companies are dysfunctional. A few passionate souls can make a project succeed in spite of all the underlying dysfunction, but it's cruel of the industry to continue leaning on those people.
Teams of uncaring developers would consistently deliver working software on time and on budget if they were both trained in the same level of skill and given the same level of respect that let uncaring civil engineers build stable bridges on time and on budget. And I would certainly hate living in a society where the only thing between me and a smoking hole at the bottom of a gorge is one passionate civil engineer.