[throwaway423342]

Any suggestions for how I can get to anywhere close to Lina's skills? It's just mad skills.. I don't believe simply putting in huge amount of time in front of the machine is adequate. Neither is simply being smart. Is it just a combination of being smart, sinking in a lot of time, interests etc?

[Scarbutt]

Read computer architecture and computer systems books.

[Toolbox1337]

Any suggestions? I'll start with something that might be a good beginner friendly way to get familiar with some of the concepts: 'The Soul of a New Machine' by Tracy Kidder.