Programming: The New Literacy -
Power will soon belong to those who can master a variety of expressive human-machine interactions.
“As the century goes on, those who don’t program — who can’t bend their increasingly sophisticated computers, machines, cars, and homes to their wills and needs — will, I predict, be increasingly left behind. Parents and teachers often disrespect today’s young people for being less than literate in the old reading-and-writing sense. But in turn, these young citizens of the future have no respect for adults who can’t program a DVD player, a mobile phone, a computer, or anything else. Today’s kids already see their parents and teachers as the illiterate ones.”Interesting, but on a theoretical level I find it deeply disturbing.
This posits a false (and dangerous) antinomy in attempting to situate modes of literacy in the language of parallax.
“Classical” and “twenty-first-century” literacy are not mutually exclusive. If that were the case we would have given up on art a long time ago.
I don’t think this is putting a value ordering on ‘modern’ vs ‘classical’ literacy, just highlighting the importance of technical literacy in and of itself, and capturing the very real feeling the techno-savvy have when observing those who are not.
Of course, I also believe that we can’t forge ahead without universally raising the usability-bar. If for nothing else, I’ve enjoyed web 2.0’s effect of having highlighted, for this generation, the importance of easy, understandable systems.
This is the most creative Tumblr theme I’ve seen in a long time.
Can’t argue that, it’s a beautiful design. The designers, friends Jace & Matt, are very talented. I’m heading to DC this weekend to headlock them into producing a custom theme for me as well. If you’d like a custom theme of your own, headlocks aren’t necessary, just contact them through http://www.justpayingthebills.com
I’ve been using AOL Instant Messaging for a decade. You know what has never worked reliably? Sending pictures through IM. AOL can’t do it right, and Gtalk can’t do it at all.
NASA put a man on the moon a decade after being challenged to do so. Hope this provides some perspective.
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I love reading the wall posts on Facebook event pages. Every single post is just someone saying they can’t make the event because they’re doing something better.
“Oh sorry I can’t make your birthday party, I’m going to be in Las Vegas partying with Puff Daddy.”
“Would love to make your baby shower, but ack! I have a civilian space flight trip to attend.”
Here’s another observation for you, Daniel. If you have any friends on Facebook who are younger (my brother’s age: 19) you’ll see a lot of groups like “Debra-Ditzy lost her mobile, needs your digits!”
Earth to Debra: your friend’s Facebook profile lists their mobile #. So drop the popularity contest, get off your lazy ass, and recover the numbers you lost yourself.
:)
“It is completely unnecessary therefore completely indispensable” — dynek on the subject of http://icantdeci.de
It’s time for me to end this. It’s not about Tumblr, specifically. It’s about the web in general. It’s become overrun by too many animals.
Positive letter for Jakob,
For what it’s worth, the web isn’t too different than the real world. People in both spaces love & hate the same thing: colorful personalities, strong opinions, success, and self-confidence.
Should you decide to return, we’ll be here. Like Bijan wrote, we’re rooting for you.
- Aaron
Startups: Diary of a Failed Startup -- the 100-word version - Valley wag summarizes some nice gems.
We decided today to finally take the wraps off of I Can’t Decide, a web service we’re billing as “a techno-crutch for the chronically indecisive.”
icantdeci.de is clean, useful, and works on the iPhone, which is great because it’s a handy bookmark for the indecisive person on the go. Ask a question, help a few others, and get your answer.
As for the intractable argument, I advocated Hillary Duff at the time. Next up I’m curious about Sushi vs. Thai for dinner….
I’m an Unrelenting Optimist. I’m optimistic that if you pursue your goals unrelentingly, you’ll achieve them.
I hold true that you can make a living doing anything, as long as you have a clear goal, a passion, and are smart, flexible, dedicated and sociable.
The problem for most people isn’t the dream, it’s the willingness to pursue it unrelentingly while being realistic about the supporting skills they’ll need to pull it off. There is a powerful symbiosis between realism and optimism. Which side do you need to work on?