Essential Readings of Computer Science: Worse is Better
The "Worse is Better" paper is a classic computer science paper that everyone in the field should read. I regularly re-read it.
But wait... there's more! By the same author, arguing AGAINST Worse is Better: Worse Is Better Is Worse
I hadn't known about that earlier piece, but the author then rebutted his own rebuttal! Craziness! See it here: Is Worse Really Better?
Alright, I've got to get back to work :)
But wait... there's more! By the same author, arguing AGAINST Worse is Better: Worse Is Better Is Worse
I hadn't known about that earlier piece, but the author then rebutted his own rebuttal! Craziness! See it here: Is Worse Really Better?
Alright, I've got to get back to work :)
Comments
On the other hand, the other side of the coin is that it gives those same weirdos a competitive edge as soon as they reach (or while they retain, as the case may be) critical mass to sustain life. Paul Graham has written good essays on the adopting that competitive edge.
It's a luxury to be able to pick one's own level of ivory towers. :)
His argument for "worse" is practical, plain-spoken, and cogent.
his "argument" for better isn't even that -- it's more a collection of despondent, rhetorical questions.
Overall, I found the "worse" argument more compelling, but I'm a C++ guy so perhaps that's a given. :)