Comments on: Anti-intellectual Euphemisms http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/ The weblog of Tony Morris Sat, 19 May 2012 02:28:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: techtangents http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-99025 techtangents Thu, 14 Jul 2011 09:30:47 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-99025 > Show them abstract concepts in concrete examples in their language and they will understand. Unfortunately, this is often true. In all seriousness, reasoning about abstract concepts and dealing with complexity are most of what programmers do. Programmers should be able to learn abstract concepts without concrete examples. > Show them abstract concepts in concrete examples in their language and they will understand.

Unfortunately, this is often true. In all seriousness, reasoning about abstract concepts and dealing with complexity are most of what programmers do. Programmers should be able to learn abstract concepts without concrete examples.

]]> By: Florian Over http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-98579 Florian Over Tue, 12 Jul 2011 08:37:37 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-98579 I recommend watching "Simplicity ain't easy" from Stuart Halloway http://blip.tv/clojure/stuart-halloway-simplicity-ain-t-easy-4842694 It's exactly about this topic. But by the way there is some difference about the inherent complexity of a subject and the (maybe) additional complexity of someones writing about the subject. The gap between academic researchers and enterprise developers in expectation of presentation is way to big. The first expect formulas and concise papers the later one hands-on technology/language specific tutorials. So don't be too rude about the people. Show them abstract concepts in concrete examples in their language and they will understand. :) Thanks for all your interesting writings. Florian Over I recommend watching “Simplicity ain’t easy” from Stuart Halloway
http://blip.tv/clojure/stuart-halloway-simplicity-ain-t-easy-4842694

It’s exactly about this topic. But by the way there is some difference about the inherent complexity of a subject and the (maybe) additional complexity of someones writing about the subject.

The gap between academic researchers and enterprise developers in expectation of presentation is way to big.
The first expect formulas and concise papers the later one hands-on technology/language specific tutorials.

So don’t be too rude about the people. Show them abstract concepts in concrete examples in their language and they will understand. :)

Thanks for all your interesting writings.

Florian Over

]]> By: Tony Morris http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-95251 Tony Morris Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:53:55 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-95251 How incredibly insightful. Yes, totally worked it out for me and Viktor -- thanks for that. That wasn't the most ridiculous comment I have read today -- not at all, not a bit. How incredibly insightful. Yes, totally worked it out for me and Viktor — thanks for that. That wasn’t the most ridiculous comment I have read today — not at all, not a bit.

]]> By: MrMan http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-95121 MrMan Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:41:54 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-95121 Simple is good, complex is bad. Does that boil it down for you and your friend Viktor? Simple is good, complex is bad. Does that boil it down for you and your friend Viktor?

]]> By: Dhananjay Nene http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-77492 Dhananjay Nene Wed, 06 Apr 2011 03:20:54 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-77492 Yes, your emphasis seems to be on "nor am I willing to invest the effort". Not making excuses for the fact that I missed the nuance, but missed it the first time around. Probably was just my state of mind. Dhananjay Yes, your emphasis seems to be on “nor am I willing to invest the effort”. Not making excuses for the fact that I missed the nuance, but missed it the first time around. Probably was just my state of mind.

Dhananjay

]]> By: Tony Morris http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-77472 Tony Morris Wed, 06 Apr 2011 01:33:09 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-77472 Dhananjay, You didn't seem to read what I wrote. I didn't attempt to redefine the word "simple." Yes, you are unsure what it is I am "contesting", but I'm not sure how to make it clearer -- perhaps you can give me an indication. Dhananjay,
You didn’t seem to read what I wrote. I didn’t attempt to redefine the word “simple.” Yes, you are unsure what it is I am “contesting”, but I’m not sure how to make it clearer — perhaps you can give me an indication.

]]> By: Dhananjay Nene http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-77443 Dhananjay Nene Tue, 05 Apr 2011 21:39:01 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-77443 Definition from the Oxford English Dictionary for Simple : easily understood or done ; presenting no difficulty: Definition from the Cambridge English Dictionary for Simple : easy to understand or do; not difficult These two are probably the best known english dictionaries. Not really sure what you're contesting. Its probably something different than simple meaning easy to understand. Definition from the Oxford English Dictionary for Simple : easily understood or done ; presenting no difficulty:

Definition from the Cambridge English Dictionary for Simple : easy to understand or do; not difficult

These two are probably the best known english dictionaries.

Not really sure what you’re contesting. Its probably something different than simple meaning easy to understand.

]]> By: koala_man http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-72882 koala_man Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:20:44 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-72882 Hah! So true. Hah! So true.

]]> By: Tony Morris http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-72832 Tony Morris Mon, 14 Mar 2011 01:33:17 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-72832 fogus, Did you mean to post that on another post, Monads Do Not Compose? fogus,
Did you mean to post that on another post, Monads Do Not Compose?

]]> By: Berlin Brown http://blog.tmorris.net/anti-intellectual-euphemisms/#comment-72798 Berlin Brown Sun, 13 Mar 2011 22:21:39 +0000 http://blog.tmorris.net/?p=996#comment-72798 I sometimes use the term simple in the context that you presented. I may post some throw away code so that when someone says that isn't the right way to do it I can respond with, "well it is just a simple example". I don't usually use the converse. Academic, I like that one. I sometimes use the term simple in the context that you presented. I may post some throw away code so that when someone says that isn’t the right way to do it I can respond with, “well it is just a simple example”. I don’t usually use the converse.

Academic, I like that one.

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