On Tue, Feb 3, 2015 at 4:38 PM, Sean P. DeNigris <s...@clipperadams.com> wrote:
> kilon.alios wrote > > I do agree, that nomads do not build cathedrals but there is the flip > side > > of the coin, why one would want to be a nomad and the great benefits > > coming > > with being a nomad > > > > Guido the creator of python explains it from the side of the Python > > Standard library but I think it applies fine for Pharo too > > Cathedral to me means architecture i.e. the application of forethought and > understanding to make the most beautiful, functional structure in the most > efficient way VS. nomads slapping together temporary mud huts that can be > abandoned and easily rebuilt elsewhere in better conditions. This is > orthogonal to the also-important issue that rigidity often accompanies a > large user-base. > > One could have a beautiful cathedral that is frequented only by the > faithful, and not turned into a tourist attraction like Notre Dame or Il > Duomo di Firenze. Steph often says that if we were looking to be famous, > we'd be programming in Ruby ;) Conversely, one could have a mud hut that > becomes a historic landmark or revered for it's earthly charm, and can > never > be improved. > > And as for popularity = rigidity, that's certainly true for languages taken > up by pop culture. That is because of one of Alan Kay's frequent > observations - that nearly everyone is driven by utility, with only a tiny > minority concerned inherently with ideas. Once people are programming a > language because that's the language "you're supposed to use" - like C++ or > Ruby - the utilitarianists flock in, and, because they are concerned only > with its usefulness, they will not tolerate much disturbance due to > "beauty", "design", or other intangibles. > > But, who says we have to go there? I for one am not interested in that > game. > One estimate says there are 18.5 million software developers in the world > [1]. I don't remember the exact percentage of inherent-idea people, but > let's be extremely conservative and say 5% (I think it was much higher). > That gives us 0.05 x 18.5M = 925,000 potential Pharo users that would revel > in the idea of an infinite game pursuing a beautiful, simple liberator of > human expression; and therefore willing to tolerate and adapt themselves to > the inevitable change, just like we all do now. > > Now, here's the important thing to remember... As we get more popular, the > above plan will leave over 17,500,000 potential complainers to potentially > distract and discourage us! > > These are the challenges of those who dare to venture into the Blue Plane, > but isn't it a beautiful game?! > Care to make that into an article for the world to see? It is worth every word. It actually fits with this pretty nicely: http://www.jamesaltucher.com/2015/02/the-ultimate-guide-to-making-a-personal-manifesto/ Not that we need a manifesto... Do we? /Phil, happy to be in the 5% > > [1] > > http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/european-technology/there-are-185-million-software-developers-in-the-world-but-which-country-has-the-most/ > > > > ----- > Cheers, > Sean > -- > View this message in context: > http://forum.world.st/Slides-from-the-Pharo-Status-talk-at-FOSDEM-2015-tp4803290p4803407.html > Sent from the Pharo Smalltalk Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > > >
