4 ms·

It is junk science--when a skill is truly mastered, it is done entirely without thinking bout it. Flow. Conscious, reflective thought is very slow and is ty

by rhelz 2y ago

It is junk science--when a skill is truly mastered, it is done entirely without thinking bout it. Flow. Conscious, reflective thought is very slow and is typically only invoked when all else fails. When you are programming--really sucked into it, the state of flow---you are not thinking about how you are programming. You are not aware that you have feet, inside of socks, or even that you are sitting down. You are not even aware you are thinking about it at all--you actually disappear altogether, all that really exists is this mind-meld of you, the problem you are trying to solve, and the program you are solving it with. If, in the middle of this state, you stop and start questioning "am I programing this the right way? Am I sure this is the best way to do it? Should I be making this more general, or generic? All you get is analysis paralysis. Its a trap even, because bike shedding feels like you are getting things done, or being smart, foresighted, etc etc. You are not; if you know how to solve the problem within spec and budget, doing anything else is just procrastinating.

ForHackernews 2y ago
I disagree with this. Outstanding programming (outstanding performance at almost anything) involves a flow state where you are doing-the-thing almost unconsciously, but that frees your mind up for meta-cognition reflecting on the bigger picture and concurrently refining the performance of the task. To be an outstanding athlete, you also need to be your own best coach.
Emma_Goldman 2y ago
I don't think this is right at all, a lot of intellectual forms of 'flow' necessarily involve incessant reflection, often through writing and re-writing, but also through conversation with self and others. Keep in mind that Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, who pioneered the concept of flow, thought of the manipulation of symbols - including in science, philosophy, conversation - as one of its principal domains.

by rhelz 2y ago

ForHackernews 2y ago

I disagree with this. Outstanding programming (outstanding performance at almost anything) involves a flow state where you are doing-the-thing almost unconsciously, but that frees your mind up for meta-cognition reflecting on the bigger picture and concurrently refining the performance of the task. To be an outstanding athlete, you also need to be your own best coach.

Emma_Goldman 2y ago

I don't think this is right at all, a lot of intellectual forms of 'flow' necessarily involve incessant reflection, often through writing and re-writing, but also through conversation with self and others. Keep in mind that Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, who pioneered the concept of flow, thought of the manipulation of symbols - including in science, philosophy, conversation - as one of its principal domains.