[Edu-sig] Tracing the Dynabook: A Dissertation

[kirby urner]

On 1/19/07, ajsiegel at optonline.net <ajsiegel at optonline.net> wrote:

> In a world of ubiquitous Smalltalk there might be some sense to this story.
> Though I have never been motivated to follow that vision very far
> down its road.
>

To Alan's credit, he long ago realized SmallTalk was not about to
take the world by storm, *nor should it* i.e. it was a good first stab
at something (helped give OO its first legs).

Many a 2nd rate scholar would coast on what little in the way of
a following Squeak/SmallTalk/Etoys has recruiting through the years,
and keep riding that into the ground.

Alan the Smalltalk Slayer, doesn't do that, which to me bespeaks
a still nimble mind.  He walks a tough talk.

I think it's important to distinguish between Alan Kay himself,
and those in his wake who still think SmallTalk is poised to make
a come back (if "come back" is a word that applies).

This goes to our earlier "dead languages" thread, which is actually
a very interesting topic.  Just because a language is "dead" doesn't
mean it's no longer used or that we can't use new talent.

On the contrary, ancient Sumerian is dead and you still can get lots
of kudos and gigs if you learn it.  Any volunteers to learn M?  There're
jobs at the VA they tell me.

http://mail.python.org/pipermail/edu-sig/2006-September/006962.html

Kirby