4 ms·
I'd argue it's good to know not just the simple math of everything, but the basics of everything. Reasons why some designs are the way they are, what constraint
by yan 17y ago
I'd argue it's good to know not just the simple math of everything, but the basics of everything. Reasons why some designs are the way they are, what constraints technologies were designed under and how ideas evolved into what they are today. I can't say how annoyed I get at hearing people grumble about falsely intuitive topics and how much better they can do it given the shot with absolutely zero education in it (traffic light timings, road construction, software and the such come to mind.)
Sure there are clear benefits to the added creativity in your own field, but why not learn, well, just because? You'll have richer conversations guaranteed!
- davi 17y agoAlong these lines: I found Infrastructure by Brian Hayes to be a great book & recommend it to anyone on HN who agrees w/ above comment (or really, just about anyone on HN). http://www.amazon.com/Infrastructure-Field-Guide-Industrial-Landscape/dp/0393059979 http://www.amazon.com/Infrastructure-Field-Guide-Industrial-...
- yan 17y agoThat looks great. I just posted a link to a very similar book a few weeks ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=606799 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=606799
- twopoint718 17y agoThe book (and TV series) "Connections" by James Burke is a very interesting peek into just how interconnected technology is. The one that amazed me was how the technology of the auto loom lead to the computer (via punch cards). Again, this won't give you insight into the math of things, but it will show you how one innovation lead to another. http://www.amazon.com/Connections-James-Burke/dp/0316116726 http://www.amazon.com/Connections-James-Burke/dp/0316116726