The “Art” of Programming | Aayush Mohapatra | TEDxSioux Falls Youth

Summary

The speaker shares his journey from building a website at nine to learning Python, highlighting the creative and artistic side of coding. He argues that programming is a form of self-expression, akin to painting or writing, and challenges the stereotype of programmers as solely logical or intelligent. He criticizes traditional coding education for being too rigid and not fostering creativity, advocating for a more exploratory approach to inspire the next generation of innovators.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker shares the story of building their first website at nine years old, which sparked a deep interest in programming.
• 👨‍💻 Contrary to stereotypes, the speaker did not have a natural inclination towards coding; they learned it out of curiosity and necessity.
• 💻 The speaker's first coding experience was motivated by their father, who encouraged them to create a website during summer break.
• ⏳ Despite the long tutorial (seven hours), the speaker was determined and spent 12 hours creating the website, which gave them a sense of accomplishment and euphoria.
• 🐍 The speaker later learned Python at the age of 12 but found the experience less fulfilling compared to their first coding project.
• 💡 The speaker realized that programming is often viewed through stereotypes as boring, logical, and difficult, which deters many from learning it.
• 🎨 The speaker argues that programming is an art form, involving creativity, problem-solving, and self-expression, similar to painting or writing.
• 🎯 The speaker emphasizes that coding can be fulfilling when approached as a creative process rather than just solving logical problems.
• 🎥 The speaker criticizes traditional coding tutorials for being too rigid, promoting a narrow, solution-focused mindset that stifles creativity.
• 🚀 The speaker encourages a more creative and exploratory approach to teaching programming, which can inspire innovation and make the process more enjoyable.

Q & A

What was the speaker's first experience with creating a website like?

The speaker's first experience with creating a website involved watching a seven-hour tutorial video, following along with Microsoft Notepad, and spending 12 hours from 10 AM to 10 PM to complete the website.

Why did the speaker feel like a god after finishing his first website?

The speaker felt like a god because he experienced a sense of euphoria and power, feeling like he could create his ideal world and shape it to his desires through coding.

What did the speaker do with his first website after completing it?

The speaker left his first website in the recycling bin after summer break, never to see it again.

At what age did the speaker start learning Python, and why was it chosen?

The speaker started learning Python at the age of 12 because it is recommended for beginners, as it reads like English and is considered the best for starting out in programming.

Why did the speaker not feel the same excitement when learning Python as he did with his first website?

The speaker did not feel the same excitement because the process of learning Python through tutorials did not give him the same kick or sense of fulfillment as creating his first website did.

What did the speaker realize about programming that led to his epiphany?

The speaker realized that programming is often viewed through stereotypes, such as requiring a high IQ or being boring and logical, which is not true. He discovered the artistic side of programming, which involves creativity and self-expression.

According to the speaker, what is the definition of art according to the Cambridge Dictionary?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, art is the making of objects, images, music, etc., that are beautiful or express feelings.

Why does the speaker argue that programming is an art?

The speaker argues that programming is an art because it is a creative process that involves imagination, problem-solving, and understanding the world around us, similar to creating a painting or composing music.

What does the speaker suggest is the reason many people do not code?

The speaker suggests that many people do not code because they think it is boring and that they are not smart enough for it, which are misconceptions based on stereotypes and the way programming is often taught.

What two factors does the speaker identify as contributing to the stereotype of programming?

The two factors identified by the speaker are pop culture, which stereotypes programmers as nerds, and the way programming is taught, which often lacks creativity and exploration.

What is the speaker's suggestion for a more engaging way to teach coding?

The speaker suggests teaching coding with a creative and explorative mindset, allowing learners to build something and get their hands dirty, rather than focusing on a single solution to a problem.