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Discussion on: Does programming require empathy?

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rrampage profile image
Raunak Ramakrishnan • Edited

Empathy is a skill/value we can only learn by interacting with others.

Can you be a good dev if no one is using your code? Basically, do we exists only through others eyes?

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around, does it make a sound?

Unfortunately, I only have more questions.. Do we write code to communicate with the machine or with other humans who will read it? I am not even sure whether programming is a craft or an art or a science. There are definitely subsets of all 3 involved.

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gmartigny profile image
Guillaume Martigny • Edited

We have to separate the end and the mean. You write code to machine for other human. I can't think of any useful program that no one use (correct me if I missed it).

In my opinion, science bring craft which bring art (science -> craft -> art). Any can stand for itself and not feed the next, breaking the chain.
Obviously, Code is based on Computer Science and can produce art.

I'm getting away from the point, but if code is a craft it serve a purpose. Therefore, you need the least bit of empathy to understand your user problem and build what he/she need.

ps: concerning your link to the "tree falling phylo", I love this answer :

The falling of the tree or any other disturbance will produce vibration of the air. If there be no ears to hear, there will be no sound.

Code without user is just thin air.