Re: Remember secretaries? (was RE: Proof that content is more important than style)

[cpwinter -at- rahul -dot- net]

On 2 Dec 2002, at 7:50, kcronin -at- daleen -dot- com wrote:

> 
> Programming and prose are two very separate things in my opinion.
> Programmers build tools, objects, *products* - all using a set of building
> blocks. To me what they do is much more similar to doing a jigsaw puzzle, or
> laying bricks, than it is to writing. I do NOT say that disparagingly - I
> say it to emphasize the difference between building or fixing something and
> just plain *communicating*.

    I think this is because, for you, writing is "second nature" -- as you 
said, "just plain *communicating*" -- while programming is not. (Have you 
ever tried it?)
> 
> Also, language is language, but speaking is not writing. By that I mean that
> the ability to articulately express oneself via the spoken word does not
> always go hand in hand with the ability to *write* well.

    Here, I agree completely. But speaking, whether one-to-one or in front 
of a crowd, calls for a whole raft of mental processes that aren't required 
in writing. (Of course, "speechifying" -- speaking before a crowd -- for 
most people is unusual; it presents an order of difficulty far beyond that 
of ordinary conversation, which they've been doing their whole lives. As 
you said below, in the part I snipped.)

    I used to have a great deal of difficulty with conversation, because I 
would pause to search my brain for the proper word rather than simply 
tossing off a sentence -- in effect, using the composition process of 
writing for speech.

    And writing, in the sense of documenting hardware, software, or a 
business process, calls for much more than composition. It needs 
thorough understanding of the subject, a sense of the intended audience 
and what they need, good interviewing skills, and the ability to manage 
your time well. Viewed in that light, it's somewhat different than 
programming.

    We could have a fascinating discussion about this. Aye, and far off 
topic would it lead us.    <g>

Chris


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