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Programming prodigy passes away at 16

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Re: Programming prodigy passes away at 16

#4

Post by jeswin »

swombat wrote: post #2

I hate to be that guy, but if she's to be labelled a "programming prodigy", what did she actually program?

http://wherearejohnandtodd.com/arfa.mp3 She talks about a calculator and a few other things, written in C#.

It could be the same things many of us did when we were kids. But you should listen to it; I can't find the right words to tell you how I felt.

Re: Programming prodigy passes away at 16

#5

Post by khalidmbajwa »

swombat wrote: post #2

I hate to be that guy, but if she's to be labelled a "programming prodigy", what did she actually program?

She was the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional in history at age 9. Her genius can be better appreciated in a geographical context. Pakistan has a non-existent culture of Start ups and original products. Thinking out of the box can sometimes even become a Taboo. The support system for doing a start up, building a product or even meaningful contribution to a real-world project , especially at her age simply does not exist. It's therefore not a wonder that she did not produce anything you can measure by your paradigm of a 'Programmer Prodigy'. Passing the MS Certification at her tender age was reflective of her genius. That she wasn't able to translate that into a contribution to a project that had demonstrable external value is irrelevant simply because the cultural and geographical limitations rendered her unable to do so.

Re: Programming prodigy passes away at 16

#6

Post by tluyben2 »

khalidmbajwa wrote: post #5
swombat wrote: post #2

I hate to be that guy, but if she's to be labelled a "programming prodigy", what did she actually program?

She was the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional in history at age 9. Her genius can be better appreciated in a geographical context. Pakistan has a non-existent culture of Start ups and original products. Thinking out of the box can sometimes even become a Taboo. The support system for doing a start up, building a product or even meaningful contribution to a real-world project , especially at her age simply doe…

Are you sure? I mean, yes, this goes for the become an mscp at 9 in Pakistan (which is harder than elsewhere), but she got such a large amount of media attention and I think her father is some kind of big shot in Pakistan as well. It sounds like she was able enough despite the limitations you mention, she just didn't do it?

Re: Programming prodigy passes away at 16

#7

Post by _corbett »

jeswin wrote: post #4
swombat wrote: post #2

I hate to be that guy, but if she's to be labelled a "programming prodigy", what did she actually program?

http://wherearejohnandtodd.com/arfa.mp3 She talks about a calculator and a few other things, written in C#. It could be the same things many of us did when we were kids. But you should listen to it; I can't find the right words to tell you how I felt.

really enjoyed this interview. what an amazing young woman and a tragedy she is already gone...

Re: Programming prodigy passes away at 16

#9

Post by akg »

swombat wrote: post #2

I hate to be that guy, but if she's to be labelled a "programming prodigy", what did she actually program?

I think what is remarkable is not her accomplishments (i mean she is only 16), but her mindset. There are very few 10 year olds that have the mindset to create something and have any sort of introspection on life. Most are preoccupied with friends, playing, and having a good time. There is nothing wrong with that, but it does set her apart from her peer-group; despite the fact that she may have come from a well todo family and is not succumbed to the limitations in Pakistan. I know many children who have a privileged childhoods (pretty much everyone in first world countries) who do not think the say she does.

Re: Programming prodigy passes away at 16

#10

Post by JVirissimo »

khalidmbajwa wrote: post #5
swombat wrote: post #2

I hate to be that guy, but if she's to be labelled a "programming prodigy", what did she actually program?

She was the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional in history at age 9. Her genius can be better appreciated in a geographical context. Pakistan has a non-existent culture of Start ups and original products. Thinking out of the box can sometimes even become a Taboo. The support system for doing a start up, building a product or even meaningful contribution to a real-world project , especially at her age simply doe…

Being a "genius" is not the same as a "programming prodigy". In order to be a "programming prodigy" you have to "program" something. The above comment was asking for evidence that this very smart girl "programmed" something. Neither claiming Pakistan is a poor programming environment nor that she is an MCP (very impressive BTW) constitutes such evidence.
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