Comments on: The myth of “programming is the only creativity”

By: Sugarenia

Sugarenia — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:27:00 +0000

This hit the nail hard. Especially the last part, where geeks lost their thrones.

Great insight.

By: links for 2010-08-11 — contentious.com

links for 2010-08-11 — contentious.com — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:01:05 +0000

[...] The myth of “programming is the only creativity” "Here’s Mike’s first error: Conflating “creativity” with programming, and “passivity” with, well, everything else. Mike isn’t the first to do this – I think my friend Cory Doctorow is responsible for the meme, as I pointed out in an earlier post. I’d argue, in fact, that the history of computing teaches us the exact opposite: the less people are required to learn programming in order to be creative with computers, the more creative work you get. [...]

By: Can Apple users be True Geeks? - broadstuff

Can Apple users be True Geeks? - broadstuff — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:57:50 +0000

[...] to draw the line? I guess to me its comes down to "are you a creator or a consumer" (Update – nice post leading the charge for the New Geeks from Ian Betteridge – killer line "the less people are [...]

By: Ian Betteridge

Ian Betteridge — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:36:47 +0000

Hi Roger – first, I think, there’s no “defence mode” here. Pointing out that there’s a massive flaw in the perspective which leads to this idea that products like the iPad aren’t “creative” isn’t defensive, it’s just being rational about it.

Programming is just another form of creativity, no more or less important in the great scheme of things than anything else. Attempting to rank crafts (which is what they all are) in order of “creative importance” is a mug’s game.

And if you want to make apps at that level – if that’s a major creative thing for you – that’s fine! Use whatever tools and platforms you like, whatever works •for you*. I’m happy that there are tools around that meet your needs and let you express yourself creatively. I’m not going to make the same mistake that the “iPad is not creative” gang make, and say that what works for me, what helps me create, is going to be the right tool for you.

By: Roger Levy

Roger Levy — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 02:36:13 +0000

I'm commenting as a guy who has never owned a smartphone and is planning to buy an Android.

So if programming is just another form of creativity, like you say at the end, what's the big deal? Are you launching into defense mode because this form of creativity threatens the iPhone's status because it does not provide a similarly easy and free way to make apps?

Maybe some people (like myself, imo) don't fall neatly into the programmer/non-programmer binary. And an app like this which makes it easier to make apps, suits those types - those who like the idea of making an app, but don't have the time to wrestle C++ or whatever.

By: Shawn Levasseur

Shawn Levasseur — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:21:41 +0000

My attitude is that the complainers are not really as uber-geeky, just poseurs.

If anyone was interested in getting into a piece of tech to understand how it works and modify and control it in any way they want, they would find a way of doing so. Not expect that Apple was supposed to give them the means.

The iPhone, iPad and all other forms of so called "closed systems" all have been hacked by some very resourceful people so that they can tinker with them. Did you think that back in the 60's and 70's the earlier hackers were complaining that AT&T wasn't giving them the means to produce their black boxes to get free long distance? I seriously doubt it.

Nope the whiners are the ones who can get an advance copy of a piece of hardware, open it up and not realize that the screen is higher resolution, or that a metal band is actually the devices antennas.

By: Steven Fisher

Steven Fisher — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:52:46 +0000

It's interesting. I'm a programmer, but I've never held this illusion. In fact, I'm in awe at the talent out there in other areas that I could never even approach.

But at the same time, I can't argue that the illusion exists and is very common.

By: Ian Betteridge is a Smart Guy « The Angry Drunk

Ian Betteridge is a Smart Guy « The Angry Drunk — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:05:42 +0000

[...] Betteridge Is a Smart Guy By The Angry Drunk Insightful commentary from Ian on the myth that “programing” is the only valid form of creativity. I [...]

By: Paul Papadimitriou » Technology As Enabler Or Gatekeeper Of Creativity

Paul Papadimitriou » Technology As Enabler Or Gatekeeper Of Creativity — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:25:29 +0000

[...] The future of creativity. Technology as an enabler or technology as a gatekeeper. ➡ The myth of “programming is the only creativity” [...]

By: Simon

Simon — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:11:30 +0000

Also the level of control over these devices which these people decide is “worthy” is pretty arbitrary. All systems are built up in layers, and most programmers are working at somewhere above the raw chip level. The programmer is “creating” based on a set of tools prescribed by the level below. It’s no more (or less) creative or free than the person who then uses that application to make a podcast, spreadsheet, pretty picture or whatever.