Many of the techinical people I know play go, or atleast know of it. I'm not sure if there is a direct correlation, but generally the stronger they are at Go, the better of a programmer and learner they are in general.
If anyone here is interested in learning or playing, I am about 2d on KGS (nickBlake) and would be willing to play or teach anyone.
People are polite on KGS because politeness and topicality are enforced by the moderators.