No, you have completely miss-represented that article. No where did I say to the effect that a group of non-genius can be the same as a genius. This is something that you injected (incorrectly). Now you are asking me to defend something that you incorrectly suggested and attributed to me!
The claim I made (if you actually read it carefully) is that in current field of software engineering (99.99% of software, boring Line Of Business software, OS, Kernels etc.) can and are done by average developers. And they do not require "super developers" with inflated ego's aka the a-holes.
You however taken away that to some how mean "geniuses". That is an error on your comprehension and interpretation.
Yes I'm aware, you still haven't backed your statement. The context is "software engineering" not about creating the next LISP. So please answer that before throwing ad-hominem's?
The reason for the self quote, is because the block quote only has one style on that theme. Thus in the past readers have been confused between external quotes and internal quotes. That is the reason (as a means of reference).
Secondly, the example you gave is about mathematics. In that context I agree. But in the context of software programming this is not the the same. The statement stands.
I guess, it's subjective to a degree. There probably is a slight grey area. But on the whole, I think its the "generally" recognised a-holes. i.e. some-one most would describe as an a-hole.
I've demonstrated that kernel development, although "hard" is possible even by students (hence the reference to the book and its related course).
You have offered nothing in response.