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This is an example of a Socratic Dialog[1], and relies on metaphor. It's in that way a piece of art useful as a teaching tool, but as such it trades some precis

This is an example of a Socratic Dialog[1], and relies on metaphor. It's in that way a piece of art useful as a teaching tool, but as such it trades some precision for the end effect. 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_dialogue http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socratic_dialogue

ebbv 14y ago
This is condescending, and relies on the assumption that I don't know anything about anything and just fell off the turnip truck last week. I think something would have to be done with a bit more art and skill before I would consider it Socratic dialogue. This is just a clumsy blog post that is annoying to read, IMHO.
- phillmv 14y ago
  >This is condescending, and relies on the assumption that I don't know anything about anything and just fell off the turnip truck last week. Well, obviously you didn't get it. > but for something this long you should do me (the reader) the courtesy of speaking directly to me. Your comment is also full of pointless vitriol. I think it's one of the most succinct and well done explanations of an abstract academese concept loads of people quote but few people seem to understand. I refer to this blog post often.
  - ebbv 14y ago
    You sound upset. Chill out, buddy.
    - phillmv 14y ago
      Oh, me? I'm perfectly calm. I didn't want to sound too condescending.
- jiggy2011 14y ago
  I don't know anything about Socrates but I sometimes find that internalising an idiot who doesn't know anything and then trying to explain my ideas to them (sometimes whilst walking round in circles audibly talking to myself) is a useful thought process.
  - ebbv 14y ago
    Sure, that's a great technique. But IMHO, don't write down the conversation as it occurs in your head. Spend the time filtering it into a more readable article.
- B-Con 14y ago
  > This is condescending, and relies on the assumption that I don't know anything about anything and just fell off the turnip truck last week. I would not overlook the possibility that they were just excited to formally reference something called "Socratic dialogue". It seems we like finding formal names for things on HN.
  - philwelch 14y ago
    If only there was a formal name for that behavior.
- jsdalton 14y ago
  > This is condescending, and relies on the assumption that I don't know anything about anything and just fell off the turnip truck last week. The blog post is from 2004 -- about nine years ago -- a time when there really wasn't much information about REST out there aside from Roy Fielding's dissertation. I recall reading this essay a few years later during my own what-the-heck-is-this-REST-thing-all-about phase and finding it relatively helpful. If he'd just published this blog post today your criticism would have a lot more merit.

ebbv 14y ago

This is condescending, and relies on the assumption that I don't know anything about anything and just fell off the turnip truck last week. I think something would have to be done with a bit more art and skill before I would consider it Socratic dialogue. This is just a clumsy blog post that is annoying to read, IMHO.

phillmv 14y ago
>This is condescending, and relies on the assumption that I don't know anything about anything and just fell off the turnip truck last week. Well, obviously you didn't get it. > but for something this long you should do me (the reader) the courtesy of speaking directly to me. Your comment is also full of pointless vitriol. I think it's one of the most succinct and well done explanations of an abstract academese concept loads of people quote but few people seem to understand. I refer to this blog post often.
- ebbv 14y ago
  You sound upset. Chill out, buddy.
  - phillmv 14y ago
    Oh, me? I'm perfectly calm. I didn't want to sound too condescending.
jiggy2011 14y ago
I don't know anything about Socrates but I sometimes find that internalising an idiot who doesn't know anything and then trying to explain my ideas to them (sometimes whilst walking round in circles audibly talking to myself) is a useful thought process.
- ebbv 14y ago
  Sure, that's a great technique. But IMHO, don't write down the conversation as it occurs in your head. Spend the time filtering it into a more readable article.
B-Con 14y ago
> This is condescending, and relies on the assumption that I don't know anything about anything and just fell off the turnip truck last week. I would not overlook the possibility that they were just excited to formally reference something called "Socratic dialogue". It seems we like finding formal names for things on HN.
- philwelch 14y ago
  If only there was a formal name for that behavior.
jsdalton 14y ago
> This is condescending, and relies on the assumption that I don't know anything about anything and just fell off the turnip truck last week. The blog post is from 2004 -- about nine years ago -- a time when there really wasn't much information about REST out there aside from Roy Fielding's dissertation. I recall reading this essay a few years later during my own what-the-heck-is-this-REST-thing-all-about phase and finding it relatively helpful. If he'd just published this blog post today your criticism would have a lot more merit.