While that's entirely possible I don't think one can conclude it with certainty from his post. You say he'd be missing the programming side if he went the other direction but the only reason he listed for choosing programming was because he considered it easier. Looking at what he has achieved in his life and career as a programmer doesn't do much if those achievements aren't aligned with his values.

Picking the wrong career path is entirely possible. Some people absolutely love technical problem solving, he doesn't mention it at all. For all we know it's worthless to him and just something he has to do to earn a cheque.

I do think you might be on to something with

>Maybe he would have been terrible at that kind of work.

though. He makes it sound like in 1994 he signed a document stating that assassins should murder him if he ever tries to manage anyone. I find it hard to believe that if he was good at managing people and influencing decisions that he would have went the rest of his career unable to break back in to management. Convincing people to give him the job is part of the needed skill set!