All Programmers May Be Self Taught But The Best Are Also "Martial Artists"

http://www.lambdassociates.org/blog/hackers.htm#!99

by tvorryn • 15 years ago

25 7 15 years ago

lambdassociates.org

makecheck• 15 years ago

Actual title: "Hackers and Fighters".

iopuy2• 15 years ago

I have not read Geoff Thompson book but from what was present in the article...

He is obviously not referring to professional mixed martial artists (UFC, Strikeforce, Pride, etc) when using the term "school-trained martial artist." I assume he means someone who visits a gym on a casual basis, but holds down a regular full time job. To try to even qualify such an argument without getting into any kind of specifics (weights of parties involved, one-on-one fight, legal ramifications) is ridiculous. If he is referring to professional mma artists he is off his rocker. These guys would annihilate "street fighters" and do so on a regular basis. These is a NSFW story about a mediocre pro fighter named "War Machine" (yes I know) and a street fight where he laid out something like 9 guys.

I would give the the book the time of day but I will never give money to anyone who is a self proclaimed "victor in over 200 street fights" because I myself have won over 400.

kstenerud• 15 years ago

He is talking about someone who has taken traditional martial arts (Karate, Kempo, Tae Kwan Do, etc).

I started out taking those, and even got a black belt, but in the end I knew nothing other than how to do some kata and dance around a ring with my opponent trading "blows". The only thing of value I learned there was balance, and even that training was mediocre.

So his analogy of "school trained martial artist" is very apt. I know a whole bunch of guys like this who would get their ass handed to them in a real fight with anyone of even minor real-world fighting experience.

On the other hand, a school trained street fighter would have an advantage over an untrained street fighter, all other things being equal.

Of course anyone trained for professional fighting (UFC et al) receives training with substance (techniques that are useful in the real world, and LOTS of actual combat). I'm not sure if there's a CS equivalent to this.

iopuy2• 15 years ago

"I'm not sure if there's a CS equivalent to this."

Agreed.

georgemcbay• 15 years ago

I realize this article is from 2007, but here in 2011 how about programmers just being programmers?

I'm so sick of how programmers are supposedly "rock stars", "ninjas", "martial artists" or whatever the fuck else.

You don't see astrophysicists comparing themselves (in large numbers) to ninjas. Because they are Goddamn Astrophysicists, and that's cool enough already.

As a profession let's grow the fuck up and just own being programmers.

jchonphoenix• 15 years ago

I understand your sentiment, but if you read the article, you'd notice that he was using the martial artist as an analogy, rather than an equivalent.

His article is well reasoned and actually full of content. I suggest you read it because it is actually well worth the read.

All Programmers May Be Self Taught But The Best Are Also "Martial Artists"

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