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To properly grok the word "grok", you need to read "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert Heinlein. Quite possibly the best sci-fi book ever written.

by melted 11y ago

atdt 11y ago
Thou art exaggerating.
lettergram 11y ago
Programmers create things because they/we can essentially compile code into action prior to writing anything (in other words, we know what the code will do). "Grok" is really the easiest way (i.e. single word) to encapsulate the idea that programmers - through the understanding of multiple underlying processes can create programs. In turn, generating movement in robots, flow of information, games, movies, etc., essentially using our understanding to affect change in reality (which Mike in Stranger in a Strange Land does with his mind). When I think of the word "grok" I think of the following (from Stranger in a Strange Land): Mike: "You told me, 'God made the World.'" Jubal: "No, no! I told you that, while all these many religions said many things, most of them said, 'God made the World.' I told you that I did not grok the fullness, but that 'God' was the word that was used." Mike: "Yes, Jubal," Mike agreed. "Word is 'God'" He added. "You grok." Jubal: "No, I must admit I don't grok." Mike: "You grok," Smith repeated firmly. "I am explain. I did not have the word. You grok. Anne groks. I grok. The grass under my feet groks in happy beauty. But I needed the word. The word is God." Jubal shook his head to clear it. "Go ahead." Mike pointed triumphantly at Jubal. Mike: "Thou art God!" Jubal:"Oh, Jesus H. — What have I done? Look, Mike, take it easy! Simmer down! You didn't understand me. I'm sorry. I'm very sorry! Just forget what I've been saying and we'll start over again on another day. But — "* Mike: "Thou art God, That which groks. Anne is God. I am God. The happy grass are God, Jill groks in beauty always. Jill is God. All shaping and making and creating together — ." He croaked something in Martian and smiled. As an aside, I loved that book so much I went on to read every Robert Heinlein book. Some were disappointing, but I enjoyed most of them. Although, Time Enough for Love is probably my favorite sci-fi book, slightly ahead of with Stranger in a Strange Land.

To properly grok the word "grok", you need to read "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert Heinlein. Quite possibly the best sci-fi book ever written.

by melted 11y ago

To properly grok the word "grok", you need to read "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert Heinlein. Quite possibly the best sci-fi book ever written.

atdt 11y ago

Thou art exaggerating.

lettergram 11y ago

Programmers create things because they/we can essentially compile code into action prior to writing anything (in other words, we know what the code will do). "Grok" is really the easiest way (i.e. single word) to encapsulate the idea that programmers - through the understanding of multiple underlying processes can create programs. In turn, generating movement in robots, flow of information, games, movies, etc., essentially using our understanding to affect change in reality (which Mike in Stranger in a Strange Land does with his mind). When I think of the word "grok" I think of the following (from Stranger in a Strange Land): Mike: "You told me, 'God made the World.'" Jubal: "No, no! I told you that, while all these many religions said many things, most of them said, 'God made the World.' I told you that I did not grok the fullness, but that 'God' was the word that was used." Mike: "Yes, Jubal," Mike agreed. "Word is 'God'" He added. "You grok." Jubal: "No, I must admit I don't grok." Mike: "You grok," Smith repeated firmly. "I am explain. I did not have the word. You grok. Anne groks. I grok. The grass under my feet groks in happy beauty. But I needed the word. The word is God." Jubal shook his head to clear it. "Go ahead." Mike pointed triumphantly at Jubal. Mike: "Thou art God!" Jubal:"Oh, Jesus H. — What have I done? Look, Mike, take it easy! Simmer down! You didn't understand me. I'm sorry. I'm very sorry! Just forget what I've been saying and we'll start over again on another day. But — "* Mike: "Thou art God, That which groks. Anne is God. I am God. The happy grass are God, Jill groks in beauty always. Jill is God. All shaping and making and creating together — ." He croaked something in Martian and smiled. As an aside, I loved that book so much I went on to read every Robert Heinlein book. Some were disappointing, but I enjoyed most of them. Although, Time Enough for Love is probably my favorite sci-fi book, slightly ahead of with Stranger in a Strange Land.