The McConnell link would have been an interesting thing to include, but if I had done so, it would be looked something like this:
For the closest thing I can find to real evidence and research supporting the 10X programmer, start at this link to a piece by McConnell. But even there it is interesting to note that most of the scroll bar is consumed by comments from people debating the validity of the claims.
Even with the McConnell link and its contents, I would still find myself saying that I believe the elite developer exists but readily admit that I can't prove it.
If we could prove it, we wouldn't be arguing about it.
The 10X developer is to software as low-carb is to nutrition.
Hey, that last line is pithy! I'm gonna tweet that...