Natural born programmers
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Natural born programmers
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Re: Natural born programmers
#2It's one thing to show that some ability can be attained in a controlled, toy-model environment, it's another thing to say that excellence in a field can be achieved solely by environmental factors. In the nature vs nurture debate, it's not fruitful to argue for either extreme.
Re: Natural born programmers
#3Hmmm....I've been a programmer for awhile now and have never really felt the mythos that "you are born a programmer." In fact, I would argue that among professions, programming is probably one of the most merit-based ones around, in which we routinely celebrate those who can hack something clever after a relatively short time of learning programming. What other profession can you think of that would allow (and usually, embrace) a "Learn to Code" type movement, which implies that coding is a skill that any one at any stage can pick up and make use of. The fact that the OP doesn't actually quote examples of "natural born programmer" myths makes it hard to evaluate whether this is really "killing our culture"
In the OP's defense, perhaps the OP is referring to the idea of women being less genetically suited to programming? If so, I agree that that is a problem and a harmful mythos. But overall, I think the programming profession does not celebrate the idea of "born programming"
Re: Natural born programmers
#4Mathematicians have no problem whatsoever learning to program, it's just another way to bring reason into action. The other way around is not true though, programmers can't learn to write proofs, that's just an innate ability.
Re: Natural born programmers
#5Nature or nurture. Programming is a highly skilled trade, requiring creative thinking. It's like a combination of engineering and writing prose. While genetics no doubt plays some role, much larger are the attitudes and aptitudes a child learns in their formative years (mostly before school age.) Everybody can learn to program, but not everyone has the attitudes that will make them well suited to it. You're not born with those attitudes for the most part, but if you don't have them, you're probably not going to acquire them.
I taught myself programming. I'm now very good at it (at least I like to think so) but it took 12 years of constantly pushing my limits and constantly learning. People who like to go out and drink with their friends every day after work, instead of learn new things at their computer will never be competitive with me. You need to be self-motivating, inquisitive, constantly improving yourself, and put in the massive amounts of time required, not just from 9-5.
Re: Natural born programmers
#6What if some people are naturally disposed to believing they can accomplish things?
Re: Natural born programmers
#7Nature or nurture. Programming is a highly skilled trade, requiring creative thinking. It's like a combination of engineering and writing prose. While genetics no doubt plays some role, much larger are the attitudes and aptitudes a child learns in their formative years (mostly before school age.) Everybody can learn to program, but not everyone has the attitudes that will make them well suited to it. You're not born…
> much larger are the attitudes and aptitudes a child learns in their formative years
On the other hand it's a common anecdote that the best (most?) programmers are self taught, like you, they don't learn it as part of their 'nurture'. Couldn't this point to a predisposition to enjoy it?
Re: Natural born programmers
#8"Stereotype Threat and Women’s Math Performance"
The childish belief in stereotype threat is killing our culture.
http://drjamesthompson.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/are-girls-too-... http://drjamesthompson.blogspot.com/2013/09/maths-is-man-thi...
Re: Natural born programmers
#9While certainly a combination of nature and nurture, there's little question natural born programmers exist. I am one. At 4th grade Dad brought home a terminal and had me type in a 3 line BASIC program (printed a sine wave). I was instantly hooked, programmed daily, and some 35 years later I'm still lovin' it. That nature had to be nurtured lest it be starved or destroyed, and given room and care to flourish it did.
Re: Natural born programmers
#10Nature or nurture. Programming is a highly skilled trade, requiring creative thinking. It's like a combination of engineering and writing prose. While genetics no doubt plays some role, much larger are the attitudes and aptitudes a child learns in their formative years (mostly before school age.) Everybody can learn to program, but not everyone has the attitudes that will make them well suited to it. You're not born…
The best programmers I know broke away from the herd very quickly. (By 4th grade?)
It seems very hard to break out if it was curiosity, parental encouragement, or genetic ability. I am certain that #1 is the biggest driver, and #2 was involved. I suspect #3 is too, but not as much as we give it credit for. The breakout programmers did it day and night because they loved it, and quickly expanded on whatever initial advantage they had.