Why do techies insist that things should be sped up, torqued, optimized? | |
There’s one obvious reason, of course: They do it because of the dictates of the market. Capitalism handsomely rewards anyone who can improve a process and squeeze some margin out. But with software, there’s something else going on too. For coders, efficiency is more than just a tool for business. It’s an existential state, an emotional driver. | |
Coders might have different backgrounds and political opinions, but nearly every one I’ve ever met found deep, almost soulful pleasure in taking something inefficient — even just a little bit slow — and tightening it up a notch. Removing the friction from a system is an aesthetic joy; coders’ eyes blaze when they talk about making something run faster or how they eliminated some bothersome human effort from a process. | |
— Clive Thompson | |
From his article: “Efficiency Is Beautiful“ | |
In Wired Magazine; dtd: April 2019 | |
Also online at: https://www.wired.com/story/coders-efficiency-is-beautiful/ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Someone Should Tell Senator Joe Manchin |
One Of The Things We Need | |
2020 | Boxing Day 2020 |
Fractal Branches | |
Advice For Sons, Too | |
2019 | Almost Soulful Pleasure |
2018 | Cursive In The News |
2017 | Coffee Crunch |
2016 | Preparation |
2015 | Scarcely Asked |
2014 | They Resemble Us |
2013 | Both |
2012 | That’s Success! |
2011 | Losing At Dominoes |
2010 | 1,001 |
Almost Soulful Pleasure
December 27, 2019 by kmabarrett
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