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Expertise is a strange concept, and very hard to quantify at that. It's a state in which you exceed in a given field and can stand as an authority, a wellspring of knowledge and an inspiration to others in that field. For someone with autism and a particular obsessive streak expertise feels like a natural evolution of their interests into solidified knowledge and pragmatism. Expertise is also perhaps the most dangerous part of an autists career. Brandon Weaver Brandon is a Ruby Architect at Square working on the Frameworks team, defining standards for Ruby across the company. He's an artist who turned programmer who had a crazy idea to teach programming with cartoon lemurs and whimsy. He's also autistic, and would love to talk to you about your own experiences.
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In his talk titled "Tales of the Autistic Developer: The Expert" at RubyConf 2020, Brandon Weaver explores the nuanced concept of expertise, especially through the lens of his personal experiences as an autistic individual in the tech industry. He reflects on how autism can impact the pursuit of expertise, presenting both its natural evolution and potential dangers. Key points discussed include: - **Definition of Expertise**: Weaver describes expertise as a state where one exceeds in a field, becoming an authority and source of inspiration. However, he warns that this pursuit can lead to toxic workplace dynamics if mishandled. - **Personal Journey**: He shares his experiences with ADHD and autism, which he discovered at age 19, and how these have shaped his self-perception and professional growth. He emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance in your professional life. - **Archetypes of Expertise**: Weaver presents four archetypes he has encountered or embodied: - **The Hero**: Described as someone who aims to save the day but can isolate others and create a toxic environment. - **The Discerner**: Recognizes critical flaws in projects but can tend to nitpick minor details, leading to negative dynamics during code reviews. - **The Creator**: Builds solutions rapidly but may lack empathy towards colleagues who require more time for development. - **The Authority**: Holds significant knowledge but risks becoming arrogant, disregarding the contributions of others. - **Substantial Growth Experiences**: He reflects on evolving from a ‘hero’ mentality that stifled collaboration to recognizing the value of teamwork and mentorship. - **Conclusion and Takeaways**: Weaver warns that while expertise can drive organizational innovation, it can also endanger teams if pursued without humility. He stresses that programming is a communal effort and expresses gratitude towards those who have supported his journey. Brandon invites listeners to consider their paths toward expertise, concluding that expertise should be a shared journey that enriches the entire community.
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