This is a concept or insight that I think trancends computer programming, and could also be applied to human social systems (ie, economics, democracy, insurance,international relations).
The main point is, these concepts that we think of as 'real' are abstractions, models that we use to order and simplify reality. But models are never perfect, and when reality pokes through, the model breaks down, people that are too slavishly loyal to thinking within the confines of the model will not be able to perceive reality, and act accordingly to fix the problem.
I would submit to you as an example the New Deal. The abstraction of economics is useful inasmuch as it keeps people happy and satisfied, gives them goals in life, and a unit by which to measure themselves. But when the system breaks down, and people are starving, staying loyal to the dictates of the model as it was understood (the Republicans of the 30's) misses the point. The model doesnt have any inherent worth, it is good only in how it makes people better able to live stable lives. Rosevelt saw this, and gave people jobs doing public works even though the market would not allocate any resources to it. People became happier, but the Republicans went berserk because they were loyal to the model, it was reality to them, and it was blasphemy to violate the tennants of their abstraction. I think it is important that people realize the ephemeral nature of all the abstractions that too often dominate our thoughts and lives.
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This is a concept or insight that I think trancends computer programming, and could also be applied to human social systems (ie, economics, democracy, insurance,international relations).
The main point is, these concepts that we think of as 'real' are abstractions, models that we use to order and simplify reality. But models are never perfect, and when reality pokes through, the model breaks down, people that are too slavishly loyal to thinking within the confines of the model will not be able to perceive reality, and act accordingly to fix the problem.
I would submit to you as an example the New Deal. The abstraction of
economics is useful inasmuch as it keeps people happy and satisfied, gives them goals in life, and a unit by which to measure themselves. But when the system breaks down, and people are starving, staying loyal to the
dictates of the model as it was understood (the Republicans of the 30's) misses the point. The model doesnt have any inherent worth, it is good only in how it makes people better able to live stable lives. Rosevelt saw this, and gave people jobs doing public works even though the market would not allocate any resources to it. People became happier, but the Republicans went berserk because they were loyal to the model, it was reality to them, and it was blasphemy to violate the tennants of their abstraction. I think it is important that people
realize the ephemeral nature of all the abstractions that too often dominate our thoughts and lives.