On Sep 1, 2010, at 8:33 AM, David Nolen wrote: > Comparing code formatting to painting practice is a poor metapor at best.
The comparison is between programming and painting. Code formatting is being compared to the various artistic decisions involved in painting. I think it is a very apt metaphor. The author is solely responsible for these decisions, he (or she) decides what the right medium, method, and perspective to take, and it is their point of view that is then considered to be "correct", not the art collector's. > Regardless of form, there is such a thing as outsider art. But as with code, > it usually means few people care, regardless of it's valid subjective merit > for the small audience that wishes to take the time to appreciate it. All of the greats started out as outsiders, practically by definition. The were regarded as the fathers (or mothers) of their respective styles or art forms. Code, is ultimately turned into colorless 0's and 1's. If there is any human element to the code itself, it is in the code style and the architectural decisions. As an architect is not only responsible for ensuring the building is built in a sound manner, capable of withstanding earthquakes and storms, so too are they responsible for the aspects of the building that have absolutely nothing to do with function, and everything to do with form. It is this human element that is appreciated. > Also, it would add to your credibility if you contributed more often to > conversations not based around the fairly superficial topic of paren > placement. Clojure has far, far more interesting and deeper avenues of > discussion to offe I very much agree, and I can't wait to do so! - Greg > On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 11:07 AM, Greg <g...@kinostudios.com> wrote: > Fogus, I believe it is you who is confused. > > The painter is responsible for everything about the painting. Where the brush > strokes are placed, how they are used, the medium that is used, the brush > widths, and everything else. If his point was to paint a bridge he could have > done it through a variety of methods, using a variety of tools, a variety of > strokes, and different points of view. > > It is the art collector who then takes the finished masterpiece and decides > whether it is "upside-down" or not. > > - Greg > > Comparing code formatting to painting practice is a poor metapor at best. > Also, Art is not individualistic practice - it is entrenched in communities > and conventions, otherwise it would be unable to communicate. By the simple > fact that the form of painting has been chosen - not sculpture, performance, > installation, video, or multimedia - would in many Art circles denote a clear > sign of odious conventionalism. > > Regardless of form, there is such a thing as outsider art. But as with code, > it usually means few people care, regardless of it's valid subjective merit > for the small audience that wishes to take the time to appreciate it. In both > art and code what most people enjoy the most is the element of novelty, play, > and even destructiveness within the bounds of well known conventions and > accepted constraints. It's a question of balance, not absolutes. > > Also, it would add to your credibility if you contributed more often to > conversations not based around the fairly superficial topic of paren > placement. Clojure has far, far more interesting and deeper avenues of > discussion to offer. > > David > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "Clojure" group. > To post to this group, send email to clojure@googlegroups.com > Note that posts from new members are moderated - please be patient with your > first post. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > clojure+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/clojure?hl=en -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Clojure" group. To post to this group, send email to clojure@googlegroups.com Note that posts from new members are moderated - please be patient with your first post. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to clojure+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/clojure?hl=en
