CHAT: Conlanging has the Hacker nature? (was Re: CHAT: music // was Leaf script)

On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 15:59:21 +0930, Adrian Morgan (aka Flesh-eating
Dragon) <dragon@...> wrote:

> B. Garcia wrote:
>
>> I chose the lyrics in my sig because i thought they related well to
>> Conlanging and language in general :)
>
> I can well imagine that music might be a popular passtime among list
> members (simply because minds that are simultaneously creative and
> analytical are probably likely to be inclined that way).
Interestingly, you've nailed the much more verbose description by Eric S
Raymond of what makes a truly great computer programmer/hacker. Also
listed among the traits are a tendency to be more liberal in sexual
attitudes, a disregard for rules that get in the way of doing fun work, a
love of spicy food, an interest in the martial arts, an appreciation of
word-play, and a feeling that the line between work and play can be
blurry. There are more, here:

http://www.catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/appendixb.html

I wonder how many of ESR's "hacker" traits tend to bleed over into
conlangers? I suspect there's a fair overlap (our own Master Of The
Instrumentality is a clear example of someone who is well established in
both camps). Perhaps conlangers can be described as hackers of the
linguistic realm?

Hmmm.

Pop quiz: Does the above-linked protrait of J Random Hacker strike very
many chords within you? Which ones?




Paul

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