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Quote of the Day

If you enjoy programming, philosophy, math, or any number of geeky topics, you're in the right place. Every day, I'll post a random quote from my extensive collection of Kindle highlights. Quotes do not necessarily reflect my views or opinions. In fact, part of my epistemic process is to consume a wide variety of contradictory material.

10/27/2020

“three pillars” of social skills. … Pillar 1: Humility You are not the center of the universe (nor is your code!). You’re neither omniscient nor infallible. You’re open to self-improvement. Pillar 2: Respect You genuinely care about others you work with. You treat them kindly and appreciate their abilities and accomplishments. Pillar 3: Trust You believe others are competent and will do the right thing, and you’re OK with letting them drive when appropriate.

— Titus Winters, Tom Manschreck and Hyrum Wright, Software Engineering at Google

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10/26/2020

It is interesting to note that the SEI Capability Maturity Model—the ultimate in process definition and focus—has its roots at IBM, where some of its key architects have a history dating back to OS/360.

— Robert L. Glass and Tom DeMarco, Software Creativity 2.0

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10/25/2020

Various studies, predominantly by Roy Baumeister of Florida State University, show that when the frontal cortex labors hard on some cognitive task, immediately afterward individuals are more aggressive and less empathic, charitable, and honest. Metaphorically, the frontal cortex says, “Screw it. I’m tired and don’t feel like thinking about my fellow human.”

— Robert M. Sapolsky, Behave

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10/24/2020

The answer is simple. It is because [O-O] has been tied to a variety of complex languages. Instead of teaching people that O-O is a type of design, and giving them design principles, people have taught that O-O is the use of a particular tool. We can write good or bad programs with any tool. Unless we teach people how to design, the languages matter very little. The result is that people do bad designs with these languages and get very little value from them.

— Frederick P. Brooks Jr., The Mythical Man-Month

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