But when writing code for yourself succinctness is power; Because abstraction is power; More stuff, smaller space. But when writing for others, abstractions ki

But when writing code for yourself succinctness is power; Because abstraction is power; More stuff, smaller space. But when writing for others, abstractions kill clarity. It's true in language too. You use fewer words explaining something to yourself than to others. For example I can say to myself, "Our election are no different than high school elections (decided on popularity, not issues)." It would be seen as heretical to most, and wrong to others. But I'd be sure that I'm right. They can't see that behind that thought is long reflection on high school popularity, evolutionary psychology, and more things than I can recall. Incidentally, Paul makes this same point in, It's the Charisma, Stupid. And while reading it I thought, "He's just saying that things don't change (after high school). What an elegant theory; Occam's razor at it's best."