3 ms·

Why are all the posts on HN about programming languages and dissecting programs so important?

by yters 16y ago

edanm 16y ago
1. I don't think all the posts are important. 2. I don't think any programmers think there's a problem with how the majority of the world doesn't get the beauty of C#. 3. There's practical value in dissecting new programs and programming languages. Practical in a way that I don't think you can say about literary criticism. That doesn't make it less valuable, necessarily, but it is a big difference.
- _delirium 16y ago
  On #2, there is a significant contingent if you replace C# with Lisp. ;-)
  - edanm 16y ago
    I chose C# for a reason ;)
- yters 16y ago
  Do you believe art has value? If so, do you believe it is valuable for artists to understand their craft so as to make better art?
  - edanm 16y ago
    "Do you believe art has value?" Yes. But in a less practical way than other things people do (including, in some cases, programming.) And no, I can't really define "less practical" rigorously, but I think most people will understand what I mean. And that's not to diminish anything from art, by the way. I'm not saying that more practical is better or worse, just different and worth considering. I love mathematics, for example, a lot of which also has no practical application. And it even resonates with less people than art. "Do you believe it is valuable for artists to understand their craft so as to make better art?" Yes. But from what I've heard of literary criticism, it usually doesn't have much to do with "studying the craft in order to make art better". I could be wrong - I'm certainly basing this opinion mostly on things I've heard/read second-hand (by, for example, Orson Scott Card, my favorite author.)
    - yters 16y ago
      "Yes. But from what I've heard of literary criticism, it usually doesn't have much to do with "studying the craft in order to make art better". I could be wrong - I'm certainly basing this opinion mostly on things I've heard/read second-hand (by, for example, Orson Scott Card, my favorite author.)" Hence the article?

Why are all the posts on HN about programming languages and dissecting programs so important?

by yters 16y ago

Why are all the posts on HN about programming languages and dissecting programs so important?

edanm 16y ago

1. I don't think all the posts are important. 2. I don't think any programmers think there's a problem with how the majority of the world doesn't get the beauty of C#. 3. There's practical value in dissecting new programs and programming languages. Practical in a way that I don't think you can say about literary criticism. That doesn't make it less valuable, necessarily, but it is a big difference.

_delirium 16y ago
On #2, there is a significant contingent if you replace C# with Lisp. ;-)
- edanm 16y ago
  I chose C# for a reason ;)
yters 16y ago
Do you believe art has value? If so, do you believe it is valuable for artists to understand their craft so as to make better art?
- edanm 16y ago
  "Do you believe art has value?" Yes. But in a less practical way than other things people do (including, in some cases, programming.) And no, I can't really define "less practical" rigorously, but I think most people will understand what I mean. And that's not to diminish anything from art, by the way. I'm not saying that more practical is better or worse, just different and worth considering. I love mathematics, for example, a lot of which also has no practical application. And it even resonates with less people than art. "Do you believe it is valuable for artists to understand their craft so as to make better art?" Yes. But from what I've heard of literary criticism, it usually doesn't have much to do with "studying the craft in order to make art better". I could be wrong - I'm certainly basing this opinion mostly on things I've heard/read second-hand (by, for example, Orson Scott Card, my favorite author.)
  - yters 16y ago
    "Yes. But from what I've heard of literary criticism, it usually doesn't have much to do with "studying the craft in order to make art better". I could be wrong - I'm certainly basing this opinion mostly on things I've heard/read second-hand (by, for example, Orson Scott Card, my favorite author.)" Hence the article?