> The reason they have a reputation as rockstars is that they can apply this productivity to things that really matter; they're able to pick out the really important parts
That is the same thing as saying that they are, in fact, more productive.
Productivity is improved by one's ability to synthesize technical concepts and experience; to market (internally, amongst peers) one's ideas; to communicate; to convince; to adapt; to select; and to balance all of these tensions.
> They don't actually write more code
The "10x developer" meme was never a claim on LOC. At least I hope not.
> the code they do write gives them more information, which makes them ensure that they write the right code.
That is the same thing as saying that they are, in fact, more productive.
Productivity is improved by one's ability to synthesize technical concepts and experience; to market (internally, amongst peers) one's ideas; to communicate; to convince; to adapt; to select; and to balance all of these tensions.
> They don't actually write more code
The "10x developer" meme was never a claim on LOC. At least I hope not.
> the code they do write gives them more information, which makes them ensure that they write the right code.
That is productivity optimization.