Tom Benson wrote:
>> You do not need university to prove things. In fact it only gets in
>> the way of proof. Because their choice of language, maths, is ill-
>> suited for proving. It's better to stick to pure logic.
>>
>> I've proven logically that my algorithm is correct. I don't rely on
>> any assumptions. I didn't need University OR maths for that. Believe
>> it or not, maths is not the only language to express logic, in fact
>> it's a poor one.
>
> Wow. Sorry to chime in on this whole thing but I have to take issue
> with this statement..
>
> ...
> [snip]
> ...
>
> Theo, we all love your work, but for Christ's sake stop being so
> defensive about it. Nothing is perfect, not even your algorithms. And
> if you feel you need to take issue with that I've said please feel
> free to send me the mathematical proof showing that your string
> sorting algorithms are the best possible algorithms that could
> possibly be devised and I promise to shut up.
There is the old saying that people who don't study history are
doomed to repeat it. I am speaking this to all those who respond
to Theo.
How many times in the past have we had this general type of
discussion and Theo eventually jumps in and starts boasting about
how good his algorithms are or how effectively he tests things. It
is a truth that Theo has written some pretty interesting stuff (I
really like his XML editor), but Theo has a higher opinion of
himself than he should and he expresses it in an inappropriate
manner. It comes out as being defensive and self-congratulating.
So what is to be done about dealing with Theo? Theo
hasn't listened to such advice to tone it down a notch in the past
and I don't think he will listen to such advice in the present.
Perhaps he will listen in the future, but given his history,
responses like Tom's above only serve to inflame Theo and
encourage his over the top behavior. So the best thing for Theo is
that we do not respond to his baiting tactics. It is hard to have
an argument by yourself.
I really do like Theo and he does have valuable things to say, but
stop feeding the beast of pride in him since you will not affect a
change in him by your logic. I suspect we will be in the exact
same spot one year from now where someone will take Theo's bait
and give Theo a reason to publicly stroke his own ego again.
So my advice is to think twice to responding to Theo when he is
being defensive or self-congratulating.
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