Personal Computing (2022)

4 hours ago

The author reminisces about a time when computing was more personal and for fun, contrasting it with today's professionalized and consumerist approach.
They argue that modern computing lacks a space for playful, personal projects, as everything is either consumer-oriented or industrial-grade engineering.
The author compares the disparity between professional and amateur tools in fields like film and music, noting how computing has blurred these lines.
They question whether the democratization of computing tools is entirely positive, as it imposes industrial constraints even on personal projects.
The author advocates for a return to personal computing that prioritizes fun, creativity, and impermanence over robustness and scalability.
They criticize the industry's aversion to metaprogramming and other playful techniques, arguing that personal projects should be free from such constraints.
The author reflects on the impact of open source and cloud computing on the erosion of personal computing, as infrastructure becomes standardized.
They express concern about the human race becoming overly reliant on technology, losing the ability to create and think independently.
The author mentions a desire to read 'Computer Lib' by Ted Nelson to explore these ideas further.
They conclude by linking these thoughts to the debate between static and dynamic languages, criticizing the premature optimization of programming languages for performance over creativity.

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