2 days ago
- The author suggests answering 'What do you do?' with 'I'm designing a new dialect of Lisp' to avoid the question.
- Design focuses on what is good for the user, while research focuses on what is new, though they converge at the top.
- Good design requires understanding user needs, not just wants, similar to a doctor treating underlying causes.
- Designers should include themselves in the intended user group to avoid condescension and produce better results.
- Programming languages are for humans, and like arts, they must account for human cognitive limitations.
- Interactive development (e.g., a REPL) influences language features like mandatory type declarations.
- Prototyping and iterative refinement (Worse is Better) are crucial in both software and arts for effective design.
- Morale is key; designers should remain engaged and enjoy what they create, avoiding boredom.
- Good design typically requires a single decision-maker (dictator) rather than collaboration, as it must be coherent.