I think I missed the meeting that established the criteria for a "programming idol" :P

The guys back in the old id were rockstars - plain and simple. They were trailblazing an entire new industry and setting a lot of firsts. Now that the gaming industry is more "mature", the major players are more relaxed, trying to show their artistic side, and no one's smashing keyboards or putting their coworker's bloody heads on sticks as easter eggs[0].

[0] - http://doom.wikia.com/wiki/Romero's_head