What Killed Smalltalk: My Balls

http://gilesbowkett.blogspot.com/2009/05/what-killed-smalltalk-my-balls.html

by sant0sk1 • 17 years ago

83 13 17 years ago

gilesbowkett.blogspot.com

st3fan• 17 years ago

Nice rant. Haven't seen the presentation so I can't comment on that. But it sure is a nice rant.

sho2• 17 years ago

Why can't you say "nice article"? Why use the perjorative term "rant"?

If you disagree with something in it, just say so.

ankhmoop• 17 years ago

The article is a puerile rant; it borders on incoherent, lacks any rational supporting argument, and does little to convince the reader besides advancing emotional declarations.

"The only question is, how big a dick move was it?"

"It's only a good thing for people who fuck up a lot."

MoeDrippins• 17 years ago

I don't normally like Giles' stuff much, but I read this one and kept thinking to myself; "yep. Yep. Yeah, he's right there. Yep."

Nice one, Mr. Bowkett.

GHFigs• 17 years ago

This is a reaction to this presentation: http://blip.tv/file/2089545

jhawk28• 17 years ago

Consultants need to make a living somehow, just waiting for the next fad to come along. The most sane approach to TDD is by Cedric Beust (author of TestNG: http://beust.com/weblog/).

csexton• 17 years ago

Seems to have alot of quotes and intention taken out way of context. I think Uncle Bob would agree with alot of the points you made had you not redefined and distorted what he said.

To take an easy example: "A high standard of professional ethics, behaviour and work activities while carrying out one's profession" is not the same thing as acting like Henry Rollins.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professionalism

silentbicycle• 17 years ago

That was a joke.

tjstankus• 17 years ago

Actually, I'd argue that quote is a pretty good description of Henry Rollins's behavior and work ethic. Of course, if you also consider that he started his publishing company while living and working in a tool shed, it might be hard to call him overly professional. And yeah, I get that the Rollins reference is a joke. But I'm a fan of Old Man Hank; I couldn't help but chime in here.

To be honest this rant didn't really inspire me much one way or the other, but the suck.com linkage is definitely worth the read.

vorador• 17 years ago

It's amusing to see that his prose style is between Atwood and Zed Shaw.

It'd be interesting to study the cross-pollination between bloggers and to chart that.

jcromartie• 17 years ago

The presentation was great... this reaction, not so much. I appreciate the link to the presentation though!

tmorton• 17 years ago

On professionalism: Giles and Martin are using different definitions of professionalism. Martin was explicit about his definition: adherence to quality standards, even under external pressure. Giles uses that to rant about suits, which is completely beside the point.

Of course programming doesn't need more "professionalism" in the sense of suits and firm handshakes. It does need more professionalism in the sense of "I'm sorry Mr Sales Guy, but your deadline is unrealistic. Let's discuss the features we can cut to make that deadline, or the schedule revisions that we need to complete the project."

What Killed Smalltalk: My Balls

Related Stories