https://arxiv.org/abs/2404.10002
Abstract (emphasis mine):
The concept of a ‘Ballmer Peak’ was first proposed in 2007, postulating that there exists a very specific blood alcohol content which confers superhuman programming ability. More generally, there is a commonly held belief among software engineers that coding is easier and more productive after a few drinks. Using the industry standard for assessment of coding ability, we conducted a search for such a peak and more generally investigated the effect of different amounts of alcohol on performance. We conclusively refute the existence of a specific peak with large magnitude, but with p < 0.001 find that there was a significant positive effect to a low amount of alcohol - slightly less than two drinks - on programming ability.
I absolutely know this is case with my writing. Really helps you enter a flow state. Not to be trifled with, Mitchell and Webb did a sketch on it actually and they also went with “just under two drinks”.
Here’s the sketch: https://youtu.be/VTSCppeFzX4?si=kXnXSTiF1xWo-d9J
Came here to say this, a glass of wine is a great help
Yeah, I was thinking this seems to be the case with many things, not just programming. Just don’t drive please.
I do it with many drinks and then send before I sober up. You just have to pray that you never see that text again.