In his talk titled "Programming Intuition," Glenn Vanderburg addresses the nuances of what makes a programmer exceptional, building on the ideas he presented in his previous year's discussion on "Tactical Design." He emphasizes the importance of developing intuitive thinking in programming by analyzing how great programmers perceive and engage with code.

Key points discussed in the talk include:

- Diverse Programmer Skill Levels: Vanderburg highlights the disparity between exceptional and average programmers, noting that productivity differences can be as high as a factor of ten. He pushes for a focus on nurturing great programmers rather than merely catering to average ones.

- Importance of Mentoring and Teaching: He argues that current teaching methods are ineffective in bridging the gap between average and exceptional programmers, advocating for better approaches to help aspiring programmers advance their abilities.

- Role of Intuition in Programming: Vanderburg makes the distinction between technical knowledge and the intuition that drives great programming, citing an interview with Paul Graham. He notes that intuition, often undervalued in programming education, is crucial for success.

- Sensory Engagement: The speaker discusses how exceptional programmers utilize sensory experiences to make abstract concepts more tangible. He references how programmers respond emotionally to good and bad code, drawing parallels to music where emotional engagement enhances understanding.

- Visual and Tangible Learning: Through anecdotes about creating physical representations of programming concepts, such as Natalie Jeremijenko's work visualizing ethernet activity, he illustrates the benefits of anchoring abstract ideas in sensory experiences.

- Cultivating Intuitive Thinking: Vanderburg concludes with insights on fostering intuition, encouraging programmers to look for patterns, visualize concepts actively, and embrace both detail and vision in their craft.

The goal is to enhance the quality of programming talent by shifting focus from rigid methodologies to intuitive practices, ultimately strengthening the industry by cultivating exceptional programmers.

Overall, Vanderburg's talk is a call to action for educators and industry leaders to rethink how they approach the development of programming talent by focusing on the intuitive understanding that sets great programmers apart.