[Winstinology]

Came across this funny thread on Slashdot today..


"According to Reuters, Potsdam University in Germany is now teaching social skills as part of their IT courses. This is intended to 'ease entry into the world of work'. The 440 students enrolled in the master's degree course will learn how to write flirtatious text messages and emails, impress people at parties and cope with rejection(s)."

Have we really become that bad!?!?!

[Gloin]

I think this is a pretty good initiative. Some people really need to learn better social skills. I mean some of the people you run into really make you wonder. However, I don't think IT students stand out as victim of poor social skills. It could be anyone.

[KYA]

That's stereotypical. I have excellent social skills.

Quote

However, I don't think IT students stand out as victim of poor social skills. It could be anyone.

We agree! Call the press!

[nofear217]

This:

Quote

The class is taught by a superficial model, who will fall in love with the nerdiest student at the end of the semester after realizing that he is beautiful on the inside.

made me laugh.

[Programmist]

There are a lot of CS nerds who have limited social skills which will eventually hurt them in job interviews and work. My take on this is: Not my problem, but it sucks to be them.

[markhazlett9]

haha well the text messaging thing is a little much, at my school i have 15% of my mark in every class dedicated to professionalism. Professionalism is marked on attendance, behavior, assignments handed in on time, etc.

[ayman_mastermind]

It is not necessary for only IT students to lack social skills, anyone can lack social skills, but i liked the idea though, very creative and very rewarding for nerds or geeks who lack social skills...

[Winstinology]

I agree.. I have very good social skills.. But there were students where I went to college in my class that deffinitely could have used some social skills..

[BenignDesign]

Isn't lack of social skills all part of the geek mystique?

[Nykc]

I thought that was limited to kids that listen to Rammstein and play video games all day and then go to the local High School and oh wait that is something else nevermind.

[P4L]

And once again B9 hits the nail on the head. Of course I believe that I lack social skills.

[Bort]

Yeah, I'm with P4L here. I wish they had offered this course in my school.

[dklingman]

BenignDesign, on 13 Jan, 2009 - 08:41 AM, said:

Isn't lack of social skills all part of the geek mystique?

ever watched the comedy show The Big Bang Theory, here in the states, funny show but perfect example of how we've been labeled.

[absynthe]

i never had this problem. i think though it is directly related to the amount of time most programmers spend locked away in front of the computer. if this is true, then the better the programmer the worse social skills? there may be a few naturals that can pick up any language and run with it, learning it quickly and freeing up time to get outside and interact, but not many.

if this is true i think how perfect programming is for married people...

[ericr2427]

absynthe, on 13 Jan, 2009 - 08:14 AM, said:

if this is true, then the better the programmer the worse social skills?

Can't be true, I'd be the best programmer on earth.