I still remember his lessons from Artificial intelligence course. Such a great professor. He easily had audience caught his attention.
May his ideas be shared and cherished.
RIP
Patrick Winston has died
71–80 of 86 posts
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#72Patrick Winston was one of the last of the old-guard of MIT -- the type of professor who genuinely cared about students, acted with integrity, scientific progress, and was the soul of the old Institute. A few remain, but not many. I'm deeply saddened by each loss. The soul of the Institute dies a little bit more each time.
The only exemplar I can recall right now still living is Merritt Roe Smith, historian of technology. Do you know of more?
Sussman is still around. There are also a few newer professors that I think try to uphold these standards. Ed Boyden comes to mind- he also was an MIT undergrad, and although not as involved with student culture as PHW, he is amazingly responsive to students in his classes. I've had him answer emails with my shitty ideas like 4 am the night I send them, which is crazy given what a busy guy he is
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#73I still (attempt to) follow his guidelines for writing. Patrick Henry Winston, z"l
I think I'll always use VSNC, I also remember him every time I use "since" to mean "because", although I rarely correct that one lol
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#74RIP, my first intro to Winston was when I was a lad in high schools and got the LISP book that also goes by the name "Winston & Horn" Still an excellent LISP book.
Stumbled upon it at a library. It was a refreshing style. I wish it was used today.
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#75I wanted to attend MIT since i was ten, though sadly it didnt happen for me (because of choices) But one thing is that i am always amazed (and saddened) on HN when i hear about the death of a pillar of our industry whom i had never previously known about.
He does have wonderful lectures on MIT OCW https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUl4u3cNGP63gFHB6xb-k... I find his presentation style is not only clear, but relaxing. It's like a friendly sermon or something.
His style is easy to understand, though in that video the conclusions he comes to about reasoning and language symbols and vision are pretty poor, I’d have thought even in 2010 MIT would have been farther along at least.
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#76I loved his series of "On To" books, e.g. "On To C", "On To C++", "On To Java". They were perfect when I was starting out and remained models of clarity when I started teaching.
Yes, both the motivation[1] and the format[2] of these books is very effective and quite unique. It's a shame no one else has carried on in this style for more recent languages.
In addition to Java, C, and C++, Winston also wrote On to Smalltalk[3].
[1] An introduction to a particular language for readers whoe are already experienced programmers.
[2] Content is presented in numbered short paragraphs, many just a single sentence long. He calls these paragraphs "slides" but they are more concise and pointful than the slides people usually show at talks.
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#77Patrick Winston was one of the last of the old-guard of MIT -- the type of professor who genuinely cared about students, acted with integrity, scientific progress, and was the soul of the old Institute. A few remain, but not many. I'm deeply saddened by each loss. The soul of the Institute dies a little bit more each time.
The only exemplar I can recall right now still living is Merritt Roe Smith, historian of technology. Do you know of more?
Gerald Jay Sussman. But yes, they're a rare breed. When I asked an MIT professor to name a few people in the Institute with uncompromising integrity, they could only think of three. Jerry and Pat were two of them.
In this age, it's nearly impossible to make professor at MIT, let alone tenure, without lapses of integrity.
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#78I loved his series of "On To" books, e.g. "On To C", "On To C++", "On To Java". They were perfect when I was starting out and remained models of clarity when I started teaching.
Yes, both the motivation[1] and the format[2] of these books is very effective and quite unique. It's a shame no one else has carried on in this style for more recent languages. In addition to Java, C, and C++, Winston also wrote On to Smalltalk[3]. [1] An introduction to a particular language for readers whoe are already experienced programmers. [2] Content is presented in numbered short paragraphs, many just a sing…
OtS is wonderful. Such a succinct and effective pedagogical style.
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#79Earlier quoted context omitted.
Instead of thinking about how they are both back in touch, why not assume a step further. They are in touch, and they are hoping that you are doing _______ with the most passion [in which they have yet to witness ;)]. Now fill that in and use it as adrenaline to accomplish your next (big, relatively) feat. Your thoughts? RIP PW
I appreciate you friend I would like to consider this and get back to you
I would love to stay in touch. makhani.samir@gmail.com
Re: Patrick Winston has died
#80Patrick Winston was one of the last of the old-guard of MIT -- the type of professor who genuinely cared about students, acted with integrity, scientific progress, and was the soul of the old Institute. A few remain, but not many. I'm deeply saddened by each loss. The soul of the Institute dies a little bit more each time.
The only exemplar I can recall right now still living is Merritt Roe Smith, historian of technology. Do you know of more?
Haynes Miller who I think is still around (math dept) is a good person with tons of integrity who cared a lot about me as an undergrad, and was very devoted to teaching undergrads in an accessible way. Mike artin (algebra Prof) is a fabulous lecturer and human being too --he's emeritus but hangs around campus a ton. Two of the few bright spots of my depressing years at the institute.