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The trend of using Computer Science programs as software development vocational training is pretty terrible, in particular at an institution like MIT. the word

The trend of using Computer Science programs as software development vocational training is pretty terrible, in particular at an institution like MIT. the word 'science' is in there for a reason and SICP was excellent at teaching people foundational comp-sci knowledge. Replacing this with python because of a great library ecosystem is like replacing linear algebra in a maths course with numpy.

jhbadger 4y ago
An analogy is that computer science is like if universities had an "optical science" program. The professors in this field would be interested in cutting edge research on microscopes, cameras, and telescopes. The problem is that most of their students aren't actually interested in that but want to get a mainstream job as an optician helping people figure out what glasses they need.
- DennisP 4y ago
  But "optical science" actually is taught, in the physics and engineering programs.
- abudabi123 4y ago
  students aren't actually interested in that but want to get a mainstream job as an optician The ophthalmologist is more specialized than the optometrist. Eye surgery has replaced the need for glasses in cases.
karmakaze 4y ago
Funny you should pick out the word "science" which Sussman in the video @4:20 says "more like science, you grab this piece of library, and you poke at it..."
- inimino 4y ago
  He says "like science" but he doesn't say that it is like physics. Sounds more like highly risky field xenobiology with the grabbing and poking.
  - karmakaze 4y ago
    The empirical process of the scientific method is what came to mind as opposed to the more mathematical theory of computation would be my interpretation.
    - inimino 4y ago
      Sussman went on to write a textbook that investigates classical mechanics starting from the Lagrangian and proceeding by way of simulation experiments in Scheme. I think the distinction is not between science and non-science, but between the "analytical-synthetic" process he mentions and the approach of understanding a living system, hence the preponderance of ecosystem metaphors (Python has the better ecosystem than Java, etc). It might be interesting to think about a science of library ecosystems (NPM, etc) but mostly this probably boils down to "exposure to the bad or inapplicable decisions of others".

jhbadger 4y ago

An analogy is that computer science is like if universities had an "optical science" program. The professors in this field would be interested in cutting edge research on microscopes, cameras, and telescopes. The problem is that most of their students aren't actually interested in that but want to get a mainstream job as an optician helping people figure out what glasses they need.

DennisP 4y ago
But "optical science" actually is taught, in the physics and engineering programs.
abudabi123 4y ago
students aren't actually interested in that but want to get a mainstream job as an optician The ophthalmologist is more specialized than the optometrist. Eye surgery has replaced the need for glasses in cases.

karmakaze 4y ago

Funny you should pick out the word "science" which Sussman in the video @4:20 says "more like science, you grab this piece of library, and you poke at it..."

inimino 4y ago
He says "like science" but he doesn't say that it is like physics. Sounds more like highly risky field xenobiology with the grabbing and poking.
- karmakaze 4y ago
  The empirical process of the scientific method is what came to mind as opposed to the more mathematical theory of computation would be my interpretation.
  - inimino 4y ago
    Sussman went on to write a textbook that investigates classical mechanics starting from the Lagrangian and proceeding by way of simulation experiments in Scheme. I think the distinction is not between science and non-science, but between the "analytical-synthetic" process he mentions and the approach of understanding a living system, hence the preponderance of ecosystem metaphors (Python has the better ecosystem than Java, etc). It might be interesting to think about a science of library ecosystems (NPM, etc) but mostly this probably boils down to "exposure to the bad or inapplicable decisions of others".