DarwinMag.com has run a column of mine on why the cynicism so typical of engineers is a virtue. As a teaser, here’s how it opens:

The table was round, the croissants were stale and the speakers hadn’t yet begun. “So, why are you here?” I asked the 30-something man seated next to me.

“I’m the COO of an 200-person computer services company and I was brought in to provide professional organization and structure to a company that’s been in putting-out-fires mode.” He adjusted the very white cuffs of his shirt.

What’s the chief obstacle he’s facing? Without hesitation: “A cynical engineering staff.”

I tried not to laugh. Good luck, buddy. Cynicism is a virtue, especially for engineers …

Kevin Marks and Maf Vosburgh four years ago wrote, “Code and Personality: How to tell your personality type from your code” an amusing yet instructive guide to with copious examples of source code.

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