[jorgeleo]

Consider that maybe he had some form of Asperger's.

The lack of ability to prioritize is because every single detail is consider important. Which is why he gain the reputation of writing perfect programs.

Choosing your battles is good in the interpersonal relationships; but Mother nature does not choose battles when enforcing its laws, it doesn't say "well... right now we should suspend gravity because there are bigger fish to fry".

From that perspective there are not major or minor points, there are only points. So, what might seem petulant for neurotypical people, for Asperger's people is much more black and white; which is a blessing and a curse. but you will thank me later.

[agalunar]

Or obsessive-compusive personality disorder, which is what I have.

I tend to either care entirely about something or not at all, and the only standard is "perfect" (there are no visible ways something can be improved) – "good enough" doesn't really make sense emotionally. And even though I'm completely self-aware and I recognize this as it's happening, it's difficult to control what I feel.

It's very frustrating. I sometimes wonder at how much more I'd enjoy things and how much more progress I'd make at work and with my hobbies if there weren't these... unbidden demands that take time to satisfy, the stress that the demands cause, and the constant internal battle between what I want to do or know I ought to do and the arbitrary need for something to be a certain way.

[zanderwohl]

> Consider that maybe he had some form of Asperger's.

Far be it from me to armchair diagnose someone, but the "Strachey had always displayed a talent for the sciences but rarely applied himself" is a story told over and over again for those with undiagnosed neurodivergence.

[nmz]

It's weird that this is a point to make in any form when it comes to C, which, as a language, is certainly very aloof and non-judgemental over what you want to do. (IE undefine behavior, non safety, nul terminated strings)