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Every programmer starts as a non-programmer. Every mathematician starts as a non-mathematician. So in both cases, it'd be extremely useful. Professional mathe

Every programmer starts as a non-programmer. Every mathematician starts as a non-mathematician. So in both cases, it'd be extremely useful. Professional mathematicians and professional programmers are small groups. They're surrounded by very many people who do a bit of math or a bit of code to get things done. Helping them is extremely valuable.

irahul 15y ago
> So in both cases, it'd be extremely useful. Assume all those surveyed say they don't like what they see in Mathematics at all - its all greek symbols and stuff. And then we do what? The current practices have originated from long research and its the best we have right now. For beginners, things are simplified in both programming and mathematics.
- randallsquared 15y ago
  The current practices have originated from long research Technically true, but only in the sense of "have originated as a side effect of long research in other things", rather than "have originated from long research into the most efficient or easily understood practices".
  - irahul 15y ago
    > "have originated from long research into the most efficient or easily understood practices". Agreed. But judgement can't be passed on efficiency and/or clarity based on opinions of people who don't follow the trade. If we are talking about Mathematics, its going to look strange to people who don't follow it. Weird symbols and horrifying looking formulae are the most efficient and clear form of describing Mathematics - and its actually pretty clear to people who follow them.
- Sakes 15y ago
  > Assume all those surveyed say they don't like what they see in Mathematics at all - its all greek symbols and stuff. And then we do what? Go to Adobe and get them to create the ColdFusion equivalent for Mathematics!
  - irahul 15y ago
    But ColdFusion didn't change much. And the abstractions it provides are generally frowned upon and ultimately, you need to learn what lies beneath. Doing that for Mathematics would be a bad idea. I can't find the reference but it was Feynman or someone who said something about that we have to let go of the idea that I am here to show you why Mathematics or Physics is fun. Mathematics is fun but it requires work on your part. If it seems cruel, that isn't so to torment you - that's how it is. There are shortcomings and people work consciously to overcome them. There always is room for improving mathematics or programming or anything for that sake. But why not aim at converting the non-programmers to programmers(which takes work - a lot of work) and then working at optimizing programming for programmers? It seem like a better option than transforming programming to suit non-programmers.

irahul 15y ago

> So in both cases, it'd be extremely useful. Assume all those surveyed say they don't like what they see in Mathematics at all - its all greek symbols and stuff. And then we do what? The current practices have originated from long research and its the best we have right now. For beginners, things are simplified in both programming and mathematics.

randallsquared 15y ago
The current practices have originated from long research Technically true, but only in the sense of "have originated as a side effect of long research in other things", rather than "have originated from long research into the most efficient or easily understood practices".
- irahul 15y ago
  > "have originated from long research into the most efficient or easily understood practices". Agreed. But judgement can't be passed on efficiency and/or clarity based on opinions of people who don't follow the trade. If we are talking about Mathematics, its going to look strange to people who don't follow it. Weird symbols and horrifying looking formulae are the most efficient and clear form of describing Mathematics - and its actually pretty clear to people who follow them.
Sakes 15y ago
> Assume all those surveyed say they don't like what they see in Mathematics at all - its all greek symbols and stuff. And then we do what? Go to Adobe and get them to create the ColdFusion equivalent for Mathematics!
- irahul 15y ago
  But ColdFusion didn't change much. And the abstractions it provides are generally frowned upon and ultimately, you need to learn what lies beneath. Doing that for Mathematics would be a bad idea. I can't find the reference but it was Feynman or someone who said something about that we have to let go of the idea that I am here to show you why Mathematics or Physics is fun. Mathematics is fun but it requires work on your part. If it seems cruel, that isn't so to torment you - that's how it is. There are shortcomings and people work consciously to overcome them. There always is room for improving mathematics or programming or anything for that sake. But why not aim at converting the non-programmers to programmers(which takes work - a lot of work) and then working at optimizing programming for programmers? It seem like a better option than transforming programming to suit non-programmers.