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Date:	Thu, 15 May 2003 17:46:52 PDT7
From:	Peter Skye <pskye@peterskye.com >
Reply-To:	scoug-programming@scoug.com
To:	scoug-programming@scoug.com
Subject:	SCOUG-Programming: A slight pause

Content Type: text/plain

Dave Watson wrote:
>
> I'm sure Peter realizes not everyone's views matter.
> Some don't realize that. Their views don't matter,
> either. Present company excluded, of course...

That was great, Dave, thanks. I haven't had a good laugh in quite a
while.

> > Why not write an English language parser . . . If the
> > parser needs a clarification then it can stop and ask.
>
> That's the trick. How does the parser know
> when it needs a clarification? Problem with
> all current languages is all too often they're
> quite willing to proceed with the wrong thing.

We've been trying to create Artificial Intelligence for the longest time
and *you* want to nip it in the bud! The alchemists of yore created a
lot of "wrong things" but gave us a wealth of basic science which has
led to *wonderful* things. Atomic bombs, falling buildings, sinking
ships . . .

> Even worse, when the programs act confused (whether they
> know it or not) it's always the case that they were led
> astray by a higher order parser -- a human programmer.

"I can't do that, Dave."

> It seems to me that the issue is not about language, but
> is about complexity and how we deal with it. I don't know
> if we want to pursue the unlikely inspiration that could
> lead to new languages. But then, I'm probably the worst
> programmer on the list so my view shouldn't matter...

You're an excellent communicator, and the crux of all this is
*communication* between team members and between them and their
machines. Parse you, you devil's advocate! Of course your opinion
matters.

> I asserted that a second language is a luxury for people
> with nothing more useful to do, and in a rational world
> everyone would just stick with english. She didn't agree,
> reinforcing my views...

Hopefully she won't have time to file a grievance.

- Peter

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