Hacker News Reader

Comment by swombat | Hacker News Reader

I hate to be that guy, but if she's to be labelled a "programming prodigy", what did she actually program?

She was the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional in history at age 9. Her genius can be better appreciated in a geographical context. Pakistan has a non-existent culture of Start ups and original products. Thinking out of the box can sometimes even become a Taboo. The support system for doing a start up, building a product or even meaningful contribution to a real-world project , especially at her age simply does not exist. It's therefore not a wonder that she did not produce anything you can measure by your paradigm of a 'Programmer Prodigy'. Passing the MS Certification at her tender age was reflective of her genius. That she wasn't able to translate that into a contribution to a project that had demonstrable external value is irrelevant simply because the cultural and geographical limitations rendered her unable to do so.

Are you sure? I mean, yes, this goes for the become an mscp at 9 in Pakistan (which is harder than elsewhere), but she got such a large amount of media attention and I think her father is some kind of big shot in Pakistan as well. It sounds like she was able enough despite the limitations you mention, she just didn't do it?

Look, wealth of family is just one very minute side of it. To actually translate your programming skills into an actual product, or startup or contribute to a real-world project, you need a lot more than that. You need mentors, you need awareness, you need tangible inspirations around you, ones that you can learn from and follow, you need advice, you need peers that you can collaborate with. That her achievements remained limited to passing a certification at a young age was because she didn't have any opportunity, or i would even argue , even awareness to take it to the next level. This awareness and opportunity is a product of so many more factors that i have highlighted above, not just media attention and financial power of one's family.

Fair point, still, she seemed quite creative. But you are right; 'we' have a different point of view. At least that's what it seems like.

Edit: I have some reservations about saying that though; I work with Pakistani designers and programmers, normal people, mostly not even well educated (just a bit) with just enough money to have bought a computer and learn some stuff. And they made products, sites, money just out of nothing like we would do here. So in that regard I have come to know at least some Pakistani as people who, despite their culture, mentors (and general lack there of), peers (and lack there of) and without the press, certification, education and wealthy family who took more or less the same path as 'we' westerners would. There are exceptions to most rules and I would think she would be that.

Being a "genius" is not the same as a "programming prodigy". In order to be a "programming prodigy" you have to "program" something. The above comment was asking for evidence that this very smart girl "programmed" something. Neither claiming Pakistan is a poor programming environment nor that she is an MCP (very impressive BTW) constitutes such evidence.

>In order to be a "programming prodigy" you have to "program" something Programming an actual product is but just ONE measure of someone's programming prowess. Standardized tests is another one, and one that is quite Valid. In fact, it's the one used by almost every Technology Company out there to gauge programming skill and aptitude. Passing of MS Certification , at her age, in my book atleast is valid evidence.

http://wherearejohnandtodd.com/arfa.mp3 She talks about a calculator and a few other things, written in C#.

It could be the same things many of us did when we were kids. But you should listen to it; I can't find the right words to tell you how I felt.

really enjoyed this interview. what an amazing young woman and a tragedy she is already gone...

Great interview.

A child who can teach us, if we are willing to listen.

I think what is remarkable is not her accomplishments (i mean she is only 16), but her mindset. There are very few 10 year olds that have the mindset to create something and have any sort of introspection on life. Most are preoccupied with friends, playing, and having a good time. There is nothing wrong with that, but it does set her apart from her peer-group; despite the fact that she may have come from a well todo family and is not succumbed to the limitations in Pakistan. I know many children who have a privileged childhoods (pretty much everyone in first world countries) who do not think the say she does.

I think, now that's she's passed, the real question to ask is "what would she have programmed, but now will never have the chance to?"

Some MS stuff, properly.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com