Keynote: The naïve programmer
summary
Argues that a naive programmer—unsophisticated, self‑taught, messy code—can still invent valuable solutions: a concrete internal tool written without tests or elegant design compiled without errors, ran reliably, and saved many thousands over several years. Contrasts two models: Rousseau‑style creative naivety that influences others, and Braque‑style cultivated sophistication; calls reviewers to recognize deficits of craft but also to look for novel working solutions and to help develop promising naive authors rather than dismiss them.
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chapters (8)
- 0:00Introduction and thanks
- 5:36Defining the naive programmer
- 10:20Artistic naivety and sophistication
- 20:27Limitations of naive programming
- 27:11Hidden talents in naive programmers
- 35:18Sophistication vs process in programming
- 41:00Balancing sophistication and naivety
- 45:41Q&A session
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