As someone who was a software something-or-other (engineer, developer, whatever) for a decade or three, my view is that the term "software engineering" is perhaps a good goal for the field, but has in practice been somewhat of a flop. Back in the first AI heyday of the late '70s and early '80s when I worked in the field, there was a term used to describe two camps/philosophies when applied to AI developers - "neats" and "scruffies". Neats were known for developing and applying well thought-out theories, while scruffies just wanted to dig in and try stuff. I've never had very good math skills or training, so I gravitated toward being a scruffy myself. It seems to me that there is at least some parallel between "neat vs scruffy" and "engineer vs hacker" mentality in software.
On Sun, Jun 14, 2020 at 1:21 PM <[email protected]> wrote: > Ah. So. Very interesting. > > > > So, software engineering is not a science. It’s a culture? There is no > right or wrong about it? > > > > Or, software engineer IS a science. We proceed best if we assume that > there will be, in the long run, a right and a wrong about it. > > > > What is the validator of rightness and wrongness in software engineering? > > > > N > > > > Nicholas Thompson > > Emeritus Professor of Ethology and Psychology > > Clark University > > [email protected] > > https://wordpress.clarku.edu/nthompson/ > > > > > > *From:* Friam <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Prof David West > *Sent:* Sunday, June 14, 2020 12:16 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* Re: [FRIAM] alternative response > > > > Frank, > > > > I think the point of the herbalist is not that a herb will attack a virus > directly, but that herbals will enhance a person's immune system in > general, including ability to defend against viruses. That is a little less > farfetched than the idea, I think, your comment was directed towards. > > > > Nick, > > > > Not as a 'scientist' but merely as a professional and in the discipline of > software development. I have substituted my own judgement against the > mainstream of Software Engineering since 1968 when SE was invented. My > determination to do so is simply the fact that I am right and the rest of > the world is insanely wrong. :) > > > > davew > > > > > > On Sun, Jun 14, 2020, at 10:11 AM, [email protected] wrote: > > Hi, Dave, > > > > I am always interested when any of our members – we who are so hard on the > “tin hat people” --, departsfrom scientific orthodoxy. What determines > when a scientist substitutes his own judgement for that of colleagues in > other disciplines? That’s not a rhetorical question. And, having done > that, why would on ever go to a doctor again? What about Linus Pauling and > vitamin C? > > > > Has anybody heard from Bruce? Did he make it across? > > > > Nick > > > > Nicholas Thompson > > Emeritus Professor of Ethology and Psychology > > Clark University > > [email protected] > > https://wordpress.clarku.edu/nthompson/ > > > > > > > > *From:* Friam <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Prof David West > > *Sent:* Sunday, June 14, 2020 7:15 AM > > *To:* [email protected] > > *Subject:* [FRIAM] alternative response > > > > My time in Amsterdam put me dead center in the Vegan / Vegetarian / Herbal > / Alternative Medicine community, with whom I still correspond. I received > this book and a strong recommendation from them. Most of the people in that > community are following the ideas in the book and claim high effectiveness. > > > > I have a deep respect for acupuncture and Ayurveda and similar traditions, > but am highly skeptical of the "new age" stuff. Nevertheless, in case > someone is curious/interested. > > > > *Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral > Infections* > > > > Take control of your health and learn how to use herbs safely and > effectively to prevent and fight off a wide range of viral infections, > including coronaviruses, SARS, influenza, encephalitis, dengue fever, and > more. Expert herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner offers this exhaustive guide > to understanding the antiviral properties of dozens of herbs, backed up by > the most recent research studies and findings. In addition to in-depth > profiles of the herbs, Buhner provides complete, step-by-step instructions > for obtaining high-quality herbs and preparing and using customized herbal > formulations for strengthening the immune system and addressing each virus. > Discover how these natural remedies can help keep you and your family > healthy and strong. > > > > davew > > - .... . -..-. . -. -.. -..-. .. ... -..-. .... . .-. . > > FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv > > Zoom Fridays 9:30a-12p Mtn GMT-6 bit.ly/virtualfriam > > un/subscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com > > archives: http://friam.471366.n2.nabble.com/ > > FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ > > > > > - .... . -..-. . -. -.. -..-. .. ... -..-. .... . .-. . > FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv > Zoom Fridays 9:30a-12p Mtn GMT-6 bit.ly/virtualfriam > un/subscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com > archives: http://friam.471366.n2.nabble.com/ > FRIAM-COMIC http://friam-comic.blogspot.com/ >
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