[lbo-talk] More on science

Carrol Cox cbcox at ilstu.edu
Tue May 15 08:29:04 PDT 2007


joanna wrote:
>
>
> I learned more about computing by reading Von Neuman and Turing than by
> reading a lot of more up-to-date specialists. You have to know a subject
> deeply and broadly to write clearly and comprehensibly about it, and
> most specialists just don't have that depth and breadth.

The essence of computing is in the _use_ of it, not in its abstract science. Who knew more about pianos: Beethoven & Liszt or those who manufactured them? Scienc is iimportant of course, but the nature of computers can only be _really_ understood by those who use them to get things done and who wouldn't know Turing from a Stanley Steamer.

Carrol



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