There are thousands of concepts and ideas in the world, concepts
that compose disciplines. These disciplines range from broad topics such as
physics or chemistry to hyper-specific topics such as cytochrome topological
analysis or algebraic geometry. The understanding and knowledge found in these
disciplines are fundamental to both our understanding of the universe as a
whole, and to the everyday functioning of human race. However, each human
cannot study and apply everything in all disciplines. Everyone must choose a
finite number of disciplines to pursue effectively. When we want to discuss a
topic to the general public we cannot use our jargon and terminology we share
with our colleagues. We must adapt our diction so others may understand.
Humanities and social sciences are clearly required to do this because the disciplines
in these categories revolve around communication. But what about the engineers,
biologist, chemists, physicists and especially computer scientists? Those who
are involved in these fields or whom we will refer to as geeks study and work revolves
around labs and computers. What use is writing, a skill known to art and
humanities to these geeks? Well, regardless of discipline, to communicate ideas
to others effectively is an indispensable skill and required when speaking to
the general public about our ideas. Communication is the force that binds us
all from all disciplines, with computer science being no exception.
When one completes a work, such as a scientific paper or a
programming algorithm, it is easy for ones colleague to see the significance in
your work. If I were writing a paper on how the topology of cytochrome b is
related to its function in the electron transport chain, fellow biophysicists will
simply read my paper and understand its importance to the field of evolutionary
biology. However when someone who is unfamiliar in the field attempts to
understand the paper, they won’t, because the language the paper uses is not in
their discipline. This is writing comes in, to explain the concept to another
so that all can perceive the true value of the work. When programming longer
more complex projects it is important to communicate to others what the project
does. Looking through lines upon lines of code is difficult and tedious even
for those who a familiar with programming. Taking the time to write what one hopes to achieve with his/her program allows others to better process what it does and why it is useful.
Java, C, Html and Python are languages just like English. They
each have areas in which their use is more effective than the other. Html is very effective
for web design; Python is very effective for object orientated programing and
English is very effective for human based communicating. Each of these are a
powerful tool and a strong grasp in all of them will make one a better program.
Writing is a tool used so we can understand each because knowledge in one field
has a very limited potential if it is limited to a single discipline. Writing is universal language required by all disciplines so that even
geeks need to write.
