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

From:Paul Bennett <paul-bennett@...>
Date:Sunday, August 29, 2004, 18:28
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

Replies

Mark P. Line <mark@...>
Herman Miller <hmiller@...>
Isaac A. Penzev <isaacp@...>