IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2021 - 56

Feature
and conferences such as the International Symposium
on Technology and Society aim to broaden
the scope of what it means to be a technologist,
the stereotype of computer scientists being singularly
focused on their field is still pervasive. Events
such as hackathons, company recruitment puzzle
hunts, and binge coding sessions continue to take
place, and in some cases are revered as a rite of
passage for computer scientists. However, the culture
that surrounds these events may promote tendencies
that mirror those that affect participants'
mental health.
In a talk titled " Developers and Depression, "
delivered to a full house in the University of Illinois'
Siebel Center auditorium, former CS student Greg
Baugues warned audience members to recognize
that some symptoms associated with mental illness
are similar to those expected of successful computer
scientists [12]. Baugues spoke from firsthand
experience with attention deficit disorder (ADD)
and bipolar disorder, pointing out that many of the
traits associated with ADD and bipolar-hyper-focus,
isolation, and irregular sleep patterns-can at
first propel success as a software developer and,
more concerningly, are readily embraced by companies
and peer programmers. These qualities are
lauded as being integral to a flourishing computer
scientist's identity, especially one who is seen to
dedicate their life to coding, but what about when
these qualities also come at the expense of the
coder's well-being? Because the focus is almost
solely on the technical outcome, people tend to
ignore the mental toll. In actuality, the symptoms
were part of a bigger picture and rather than being
lauded as dedication, it became necessary to recognize
how the stereotype contributed to his mental
illness diagnosis.
The stress of advancing in one's technical
career, brought on by the stereotype of computer-based
obsession, can also adversely affect mental
health. While employment woes are relevant
for any discipline, it is arguable that the expectations
on computer scientists to singularly excel
in their field add to the weight of securing financial
success. From a student's point of view, the
immense pressure to work at a " big tech company "
begins early with applications to summer internships
and fellowships, which grow more competitive
each year. While employment and financial
security have been documented to improve mental
56
health, lack of job placement can contribute to
struggles with mental illness, as rates of depression
in unemployed adults increase steadily the longer
the period of unemployment [13]. Considering the
expectation that computer scientists must excel
in a technical field and the relentless competition
among peers, a student dealing with employment
setbacks may experience psychological harm.
Lacking interpersonal skills
Existing literature characterizes computer scientists
as loners, socially awkward, and lacking interpersonal
skills that prevent them from completing
people-oriented tasks. In practice, the expectation
therefore is that computer scientists are isolated
socially and in their work. This concept of perpetually
being alone has been endorsed by male
undergraduate students more so than female undergraduates,
and perhaps has led some to conclude
that interpersonal skills are not fundamentally necessary
to computing tasks.
In a broader sense, studies have shown that social
isolation can have adverse effects on psychological
health, with outcomes that include poor sleep quality,
accelerated cognitive decline, and depression
[14]. However, it is not enough to generally relate
social isolation to the stereotypical portrayal of a
loner computer scientist; there is also the component
that a computer scientist must work alone. In
examining how loneliness in the workplace may
affect mental health, Dr. Vivek Murthy urged companies
to address the workplace " loneliness epidemic "
to improve the success of the company [15]. Lonely
employees are said to feel mental sluggishness,
physical and emotional stress, and withdrawal from
work, all contributing to poor team performance
and personal disappointment. By adhering to the
stereotype that computer scientists do not thrive in
social situations, one might risk the negative effects
of social isolation.
The ability to advocate for oneself and ask for help
is particularly relevant to the relationship between
social isolation and mental health. Part of the stereotype
of a computer scientist who lacks interpersonal
skills is that this person is unwilling to interact with
others or, more relevantly, to ask for help. The stigma
surrounding mental health remains a persistent problem,
particularly the way it causes shame around
people who reach out for support [16]. With the stereotype
of isolation still firmly in place, a computer
IEEE Technology and Society Magazine
IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2021

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