The programmers who live in Flatland
14 days ago
- #programming
- #abstraction
- #lisp
- Flatland is a metaphor for programmers' limited perspectives, similar to how its protagonist struggles with higher dimensions.
- Paul Graham's essay 'Beating the Averages' highlights Lisp's power, particularly macros, as a key competitive advantage.
- Clojure, despite its benefits like macros and state management, remains underused due to misconceptions and ecosystem concerns.
- The 'blub paradox' explains why programmers may not recognize the advantages of more powerful languages like Lisp/Clojure.
- Programming dimensions: Most abstractions automate tasks, but rare ones (like macros) extend programming's algebra, creating new dimensions.
- Learning new programming dimensions requires curiosity and overcoming cognitive biases against unfamiliar concepts.
- Laws of Form's 're-entry' concept parallels macros, introducing self-referential abstractions that unlock new dimensions in formal systems.