The type of person depends on the type of job (Score 2, Insightful)

The article generalizes software development too much. I have worked on numerous software projects ranging from database apps to n-tier applications to device drivers to custom servers etc... There is little room (and indeed, little need) for a 'guru' when developing database applications which focus on data collation and entry. Most 4GL languages are simple enough for run-of-the-mill developers to 'get into'. However, it takes a special breed of person to tackle lower-level code and the truly ground-breaking applications.

The problem is this; developers who work 9-5 and are 'normal' as society portrays rarely meet coding challenges outside work, and, as such, will not have the broad knowledge gained from reading around the subject. Social outcasts may well not understand business needs, but, if their time is spent wisely, DO understand the intrinsics and tricks of lower level code in order to get the job done better than the competition.

It all depends on the task in hand.