2 ms·
It's perfectly possible to write from your experience, while consciously trying to generalize, keeping an eye out for biases. As a (self proclaimed) figurehead
by Confusion 14y ago
It's perfectly possible to write from your experience, while consciously trying to generalize, keeping an eye out for biases. As a (self proclaimed) figurehead of a movement, you may even be expected to do so. Esr has certainly not done that, which most clearly shows in the 'points for style' section of his essay. I'm into martial arts myself, but suggesting that as a 'point for style' is ludicrous. Combine it with an incentive to go 'pistol shooting' and I actually think it is offensive.
- mindcrime 14y agoIt sounds like you're picking nits to me. You're talking about two points, in what is hardly the core of the essay, and using that to justify a broad criticism of the whole essay? Look, I disagree with esr on more than a few things myself. But this essay strikes me as a fairly reasonable introduction to a number of activities and mindsets that a would-be hacker would want to cultivate. And it's not like he is saying "This is the only route to becoming a hacker". I also don't understand your thing about finding the reference to pistol shooting "offensive". I can understand if you're an anti-gunner or whatever and don't like guns, but the simple facts are that millions of people enjoy going to the range and shooting their pistols. We're talking about something that is legal (with some caveats), safe, fun, and has positive personal benefits... it's not like he suggested going out and watching kiddie-porn or stealing food from starving children.