Thoughts from an iPad

Performing manual, repetitive tasks enrages me. I used to think this was a corollary of being a programmer, but I’ve come to suspect (or hope) that this behaviour is inherent in being human.

I couldn’t agree more. It’s human nature to do things as easy as possible. In the case of a developer, you have one more huge tool in your toolbox, and repetitive tasks on computers are the worst kind of repetitive tasks. My advice: automate the shit out of everything.

From an article by Kyle Niemeyer on Arstechnica:

Based on their results, people are recalling information less, and instead can remember where to find the information they have forgotten.

From what I’ve seen, this is true. Not just in a general sense, but in an applied one: each day people communicate not only via technology, but with technology. If we wish to know something we just search for the data. From a more “natural” viewpoint this is normal: when we need something we dig for it, whether it be online or in the basement.

Test yourself: how many countries have flags with only one color? Regardless of your answer, was your first thought about actual flags, or was it to consider where you would find that information?