Carmack might think that there are certain areas he will be better due to decades of experience. Overall programmer isn’t a bad qualifier at all, it’s actually making it sound less offhand and more honest.
Carmack might think that there are certain areas he will be better due to decades of experience. Overall programmer isn’t a bad qualifier at all, it’s actually making it sound less offhand and more honest.
1) Bellard is
2) avoid qualifiers in personal compliments (unless ironic)
I don’t agree with 2). It’s ok to qualify. Sounds sycophantic to not do it.
You can find a formulation that doesn't sound sycophantic without including a qualifier that could be misinterpreted as backhanded, because on a bad day it will be.
(Especially if you are complimenting a person with ADHD.)
"You will be lucky to get this man to work for you."