I’ve never met a kid that blew me away, but would like to. Presumably they are shuttled off to an underground bunker somewhere.

Also, if one hasn’t read the historical literature such as Petzold’s Code, Mythical Man Month, High Output Management, McConnell *, etc they have a long way to go. No amount of bit-twiddling proficiency can make up for that. Unless you’re in the twiddling business. :-D

I don't really think reading books is the way to go generally to improve at the job of making things, at least, not any of those books.

Making things seems to do the trick there.

Hah, I let a few silly things slide as youthful exuberance but this one will be laughable even to you in not too many years. Zuck learned that one in public, so you’re in good company.