5 ms·

Would it be less condescending if it didn't discuss requirements or difficulty?

by traderjane 7y ago

Tade0 7y ago
How many people "unfamiliar with school-level math" do you know? Seems like an odd group to target in such a warning.
- uoaei 7y ago
  Working in tech obscures the proportion of how many people truly are stuck when asked to do algebra of any flavor.
  - Tade0 7y ago
    Ok, but can you imagine such a person being interested in this book?
- ssivark 7y ago
  Many, I would argue. Just a statement of fact, no judgement. When I took advanced physics classes in 3rd year of undergrad, I was surprised to note that many of my very smart friends who were computer science majors had lost touch with high-school and introductory college math (particularly calculus) because of an immersion in different kinds of stuff for 2-3 years. Similarly, I've sat in on machine learning classes where CS grad students have little knowledge of probabilistic reasoning or linear algebra (both of which I would consider high-school math, or early college level). It's not surprising that someone who's not written code for a decade will have a tough time jumping in to start programming right away. So, what's so special about math? It just so happens that some texts on functional programming use a different starting point to approach programming, with different pre-requisites. I wouldn't be surprised if people lose touch with these things after a decade of not using/needing them.
- rowanG077 7y ago
  Most people I know are unfamiliar with school-level math. They had it one or two decades ago and forget most of it. It's not a skill that is used day-to-day.
- BeetleB 7y ago
  >How many people "unfamiliar with school-level math" do you know? How many programmers can solve a quadratic equation without knowing the quadratic formula (i.e. how many can do the algebraic manipulations needed to solve it)? That is school level math.
- phaus 7y ago
  There are tons of people that write code that aren't college graduates and aren't very educated in math. I'm a high school drop out. I'm teaching myself functional programming and I'm slowly relearning HS algebra so I can move on to subjects I've never taken like precalculus, calculus, and undergrad math.
jlarocco 7y ago
It would be less condescending if the author just stated what type of math was used and left out the passive aggressive nonsense about people "unwilling to learn difficult concepts through prolonged mental concentration and effort." And I think that's what the OP is questioning. Most technical writing will spell out what's expected from the reader, but articles about FP also tend to have a "... if you're smart enough" sentiment added in.

Would it be less condescending if it didn't discuss requirements or difficulty?

Tade0 7y ago

How many people "unfamiliar with school-level math" do you know? Seems like an odd group to target in such a warning.

uoaei 7y ago
Working in tech obscures the proportion of how many people truly are stuck when asked to do algebra of any flavor.
- Tade0 7y ago
  Ok, but can you imagine such a person being interested in this book?
ssivark 7y ago
Many, I would argue. Just a statement of fact, no judgement. When I took advanced physics classes in 3rd year of undergrad, I was surprised to note that many of my very smart friends who were computer science majors had lost touch with high-school and introductory college math (particularly calculus) because of an immersion in different kinds of stuff for 2-3 years. Similarly, I've sat in on machine learning classes where CS grad students have little knowledge of probabilistic reasoning or linear algebra (both of which I would consider high-school math, or early college level). It's not surprising that someone who's not written code for a decade will have a tough time jumping in to start programming right away. So, what's so special about math? It just so happens that some texts on functional programming use a different starting point to approach programming, with different pre-requisites. I wouldn't be surprised if people lose touch with these things after a decade of not using/needing them.
rowanG077 7y ago
Most people I know are unfamiliar with school-level math. They had it one or two decades ago and forget most of it. It's not a skill that is used day-to-day.
BeetleB 7y ago
>How many people "unfamiliar with school-level math" do you know? How many programmers can solve a quadratic equation without knowing the quadratic formula (i.e. how many can do the algebraic manipulations needed to solve it)? That is school level math.
phaus 7y ago
There are tons of people that write code that aren't college graduates and aren't very educated in math. I'm a high school drop out. I'm teaching myself functional programming and I'm slowly relearning HS algebra so I can move on to subjects I've never taken like precalculus, calculus, and undergrad math.

jlarocco 7y ago

It would be less condescending if the author just stated what type of math was used and left out the passive aggressive nonsense about people "unwilling to learn difficult concepts through prolonged mental concentration and effort." And I think that's what the OP is questioning. Most technical writing will spell out what's expected from the reader, but articles about FP also tend to have a "... if you're smart enough" sentiment added in.