Re: Lessons (was Re: Objects and Relations)

Bob Badour wrote:

> JOG wrote:
>

>> I am finding the whole experience of trying to relay to others what I
>> have learnt on cdt incredibly frustrating and disillusioning.

1. The self-proclaimed seldom are.
2. Not every human mind is equally able.
3. Intellectual honesty is a prerequisite to learning.
4. Not every human mind is capable of abstraction.
5. Some non-human minds are capable of experimentation and methodology.
6. Success is context-sensitive.
7. Our tools affect our minds.
8. The predicate calculus is more illuminating than the set algebra.
9. Programmers are drawn more to the algebra than the calculus.
10. Theoretically non-updatable views should nevertheless be updatable.
11. It is very difficult to respond coherently to that which is incoherent.
12. Good intentions can lead to disaster.
13. Selfish motives can lead to great good.
14. Continuous assessment and improvement are best.
15. Empiricism is the only hope to understand reality.
16. Caution is appropriate when designing.
17. Wanton recklessness is appropriate when imagining.
18. The scientific method keeps natural human deficiencies in check.
19. We should strive to tackle problems at or near the limit of our capability.
20. Austere mental discipline is required for real progress.
21. A pleasant demeanor can make nastiness palatable.
22. An unpleasant demeanor can unmask intellectual dishonesty.
23. Some with an unpleasant demeanor are simply nasty.
24. There is no stopping the invincibly ignorant.
25. Humans tend toward irrational and non-rational belief.
26. Status hierarchies are very important to human happiness.

> What audiences do you try to reach with these lessons?

1. Family
2. Friends
3. The readers of c.d.t

> What approaches have you used?

1. Profanity
2. Intimidation
3. Disdain
4. Understatement
5. Overstatement
6. Provocation
7. Asking questions
8. Absense
9. Sophistry
10. Referral to better sources
11. Self study
12. Appeal to reason
13. Logic

> What other approaches are you aware of?

1. Absolute empiricism with quiet skepticism

> What other audiences might exist?

1. Colleagues
2. Students
3. Web surfers
4. Other programmers and data managers
5. Other types of professionals
6. Executives
7. Academics
8. Random strangers

> What big questions remain unanswered in your mind?

1. What are the biggest challenges to distributed optimization?
2. Where will the next great insights lead us?
3. How will germline genetic engineering affect our offspring?
4. How long will it take to achieve engineered negligible senescence?
5. Where can I best devote my effort?

> How do you measure success?

1. When I gain an insight
2. When I communicate an insight
3. When someone exceeds my expectations
4. When I see something admirable
5. When I improve an efficiency
6. When I remove a systemic defect
7. When it compiles
8. When it behaves as expected in the debugger
9. When it runs
10. When my dogs run and play
11. When I increase my serenity