The Diminished Art of Coding

11 hours ago

Programming is an art, akin to architecture or carpentry, combining form and function.
Code reviews can reveal mastery and elegance, or areas needing improvement.
AI-authored code lacks the same emotional or artistic engagement as human-written code.
Coding balances being an art form and a functional tool, with LLMs emphasizing function over form.
With AI coding agents, focus shifts to higher-level concerns like architecture and testing, not small details.
Coding's artistic value varies—some see it as pure art, others as purely functional.
The shift to AI-assisted coding risks losing the craftsmanship and artistry in programming.
Advice to coders: seek artistic fulfillment outside coding, in poetry, painting, dance, etc.
Personal artistic pursuits include painting, dance, reading fiction, and playing guitar.
Coding is entering a 'fast-fashion' era—disposable, vibe-coded software with less human touch.

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