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Comment by andos | Hacker News Reader

I disagree: the author is to blame. Every message has an audience and the author must know that when they write. At Hacker News we are, well, hackers in the broadest sense. While some of us might appreciate typography for what it is, I believe most want to know how it might improve their products and services. Allegoric prose does not help, in this case.

(Edit: to clarify what it is I disagree.)

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In this case perhaps the audience should grow up and learn about the side of the world that doesn't follow strict formal logic. Hackers shouldn't be afraid of aesthetic arguments, with all of the desire for elegant solutions they profess.

Nobody is questioning the necessity of aesthetic considerations to solve problems of all kinds. What brought up this discussion was the usage of ornate but empty language to describe typography. Quicksort is an elegant solution but would you pay any attention to a text stating that ”Quicksort is not merely a sorting algorithm. It is a living creature; it feels joy at a well-chosen pivot point?“

That notwithstanding, I disagree again. When the author disregards their audience, alienation ensues. To change someone’s mind, I must first have someone’s attention. It’s my job as the author to make the audience grow up.

"Algorithms can be beautiful", or "code can be beautiful" is certainly something I wouldn't be surprised to hear from a programmer. I don't see people freaking out over those usages, though.

Certainly, yes, and appropriately so. Furthermore, ”code can be beautiful” entices attention and curiosity while ornate language does not. That’s all I meant.

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