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Computing is in a sad state today, but not because of fucking callbacks. It's in a sad state today because we're still thinking about problems on this

Computing is in a sad state today, but not because of fucking callbacks. It's in a sad state today because we're still thinking about problems on this level at all. The unfortunate part about thinking about problems is it that problems are relative - i.e. they are problems only relative to a context. Nobody even in the tech world has a clue how solving a simple problem just to satisfy some intellectual curiosity can affect life on the planet. What meaning does Wiles' proof of Fermat's last theorem have on the part of the world that's sleeping hungry every night? The stuff we're talking about here has irked some pretty decent brains enough for them to go out and make ... another textual programming language. Folks like Musk are an inspiration indeed for boldly thinking at the high level they do and seeing it through. However, that's exactly what's easy for press to write up on. Stuff like the moon speech is what's easy to communicate. It is also simple to attribute some great deed to one of these great "visions". But behind each such vision lies the incremental work of millions - each of it, I say, worth every penny - unsung heroes, all of them. On a related point, not all the time where we've heard a call to greater action do we see the ability in those folks to imagine how that might come about. edit: typos.

KirinDave 13y ago
> The unfortunate part about thinking about problems is it that problems are relative - i.e. they are problems only relative to a context. Nobody even in the tech world has a clue how solving a simple problem just to satisfy some intellectual curiosity can affect life on the planet. What meaning does Wiles' proof of Fermat's last theorem have on the part of the world that's sleeping hungry every night? Like the city you live in right now? > Folks like Musk are an inspiration indeed for boldly thinking at the high level they do and seeing it through. "Folks like Musk" are smart enough to know that the progress of humanity, the great and meaningful leaps of technology to strive for, are accomplished by people solving those hard problems under a common banner. A consequence you've evidently yet to learn, or are afraid to realize.
- aufreak3 13y ago
  > "Folks like Musk" are smart enough to know that the progress of humanity, the great and meaningful leaps of technology to strive for, are accomplished by people solving those hard problems under a common banner. That's an interesting aspect of their work you point out. It made me think about describing my "banner" and add it to my HN profile. It would be cool if we can all identify such "banners" under which we work in our HN profiles. Note that the banner doesn't have to be a technological breakthrough. In my case, for example, I wish for cultural impact.
  - KirinDave 13y ago
    > It would be cool if we can all identify such "banners" These days these "banners" are LLCs or C-corps. :)
    - aufreak3 13y ago
      Though true, the "banners" aren't always obvious. Some folks may have a complementary mission. The golang authors are perhaps not directly working to "organize the world's information", for instance and their banner would read "making it easy to build simple, reliable, and efficient software". It is still, a nice exercise to do it though ... and I might turn mine into an LLC anyway :)

KirinDave 13y ago

> The unfortunate part about thinking about problems is it that problems are relative - i.e. they are problems only relative to a context. Nobody even in the tech world has a clue how solving a simple problem just to satisfy some intellectual curiosity can affect life on the planet. What meaning does Wiles' proof of Fermat's last theorem have on the part of the world that's sleeping hungry every night? Like the city you live in right now? > Folks like Musk are an inspiration indeed for boldly thinking at the high level they do and seeing it through. "Folks like Musk" are smart enough to know that the progress of humanity, the great and meaningful leaps of technology to strive for, are accomplished by people solving those hard problems under a common banner. A consequence you've evidently yet to learn, or are afraid to realize.

aufreak3 13y ago
> "Folks like Musk" are smart enough to know that the progress of humanity, the great and meaningful leaps of technology to strive for, are accomplished by people solving those hard problems under a common banner. That's an interesting aspect of their work you point out. It made me think about describing my "banner" and add it to my HN profile. It would be cool if we can all identify such "banners" under which we work in our HN profiles. Note that the banner doesn't have to be a technological breakthrough. In my case, for example, I wish for cultural impact.
- KirinDave 13y ago
  > It would be cool if we can all identify such "banners" These days these "banners" are LLCs or C-corps. :)
  - aufreak3 13y ago
    Though true, the "banners" aren't always obvious. Some folks may have a complementary mission. The golang authors are perhaps not directly working to "organize the world's information", for instance and their banner would read "making it easy to build simple, reliable, and efficient software". It is still, a nice exercise to do it though ... and I might turn mine into an LLC anyway :)