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I don't think most people are bragging about when they started programming. For me, it's just a fact I throw out to emphasize that it's my life, not just a hob

I don't think most people are bragging about when they started programming. For me, it's just a fact I throw out to emphasize that it's my life, not just a hobby or a job. It's seriously part of who I am, right to the core. For the record, it was 4th grade for me... About 10 years old. Had it been younger, I'm sure I'd still have glommed onto it just the same... That was just the first exposure I got. Hint: Expose your kids to things young. It could make a big difference in their lives.

zoop 15y ago
I agree with this. The author seems to think that saying you started programming early is some sort of statement about virtuosity, but at least for me, it was more about curiosity.
- cloudmike 15y ago
  I can see how you got that. My argument was somewhat unclear, but the point I was trying to make was that celebrating the age at which people started programming makes it seem less accessible to those who don't program. And I think that's counterproductive to the goal of encouraging more people to program at all ages (which is a goal you may or may not agree with). The discussions below about sports are interesting, though. Lots of kids seem to play basketball even though (or arguably because) the stars are put on pedestals. But not everyone plays basketball.
  - trocker 15y ago
    Totally agree with 'seem less accessible' part. Starting to program at the age of 6 is nice and good(if that is out of curiosity), but for me - I'd say - wait for sometime,do the things that you are supposed to do at that age, and when the time comes to be different, you'll know and follow it then. There is no point in bragging about when a person started to code.He might miss out on a lot of things as a child which might make him a different person and constrict his 'social' network. As a child spending more time in the programming world is not desirable, after all we all are programming towards making things work like humans would work, and we are missing out on the 'being human' part by programming in the time in which we are still growing as a human?
jlees 15y ago
In all honesty, I only ever mention that I've been programming since the age of 6 when I'm trying to impress someone -- someone non-technical, at that, and very rarely. Technical people are not likely to be impressed, as they know exactly what that really means. Although sometimes it's a useful weapon in the breaking-gender-stereotype wars, too. "She was how old?"

zoop 15y ago

I agree with this. The author seems to think that saying you started programming early is some sort of statement about virtuosity, but at least for me, it was more about curiosity.

cloudmike 15y ago
I can see how you got that. My argument was somewhat unclear, but the point I was trying to make was that celebrating the age at which people started programming makes it seem less accessible to those who don't program. And I think that's counterproductive to the goal of encouraging more people to program at all ages (which is a goal you may or may not agree with). The discussions below about sports are interesting, though. Lots of kids seem to play basketball even though (or arguably because) the stars are put on pedestals. But not everyone plays basketball.
- trocker 15y ago
  Totally agree with 'seem less accessible' part. Starting to program at the age of 6 is nice and good(if that is out of curiosity), but for me - I'd say - wait for sometime,do the things that you are supposed to do at that age, and when the time comes to be different, you'll know and follow it then. There is no point in bragging about when a person started to code.He might miss out on a lot of things as a child which might make him a different person and constrict his 'social' network. As a child spending more time in the programming world is not desirable, after all we all are programming towards making things work like humans would work, and we are missing out on the 'being human' part by programming in the time in which we are still growing as a human?

jlees 15y ago

In all honesty, I only ever mention that I've been programming since the age of 6 when I'm trying to impress someone -- someone non-technical, at that, and very rarely. Technical people are not likely to be impressed, as they know exactly what that really means. Although sometimes it's a useful weapon in the breaking-gender-stereotype wars, too. "She was how old?"