Heh, yeah, the programming world seems to be full of gatekeepers. To be clear, I didn't mean it in a self-deprecating way, though I suppose there is some underlying frustration that scientists spend most of our time programming (or, at a certain level of seniority, attending meetings and bossing around the ones doing the programming) but have little to no formal training in it. But yes, I am proud of the work I do. When I'm not annoyed as hell by it and its attendant repetitive stress injuries, anyway. :)

But your story of frustration and other people's awful code and imposter syndrome and flash of inspiration? It felt very familiar.

ARGH. I like to joke that I'm mechanically declined, because none of that comes easily to me.

*Nods* Yes, me too.