The Next Big Idea Daily Magic Is Real—And It’s Living in Your Computer
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Jul 8, 2025 Samuel Arbisman, a scientist and author of The Magic of Code, delves into the enchanting world of programming. He explains how coding mirrors artistry and storytelling, creating powerful connections in our digital lives. The discussion explores the humbling process of debugging as a reflection of human flaws and highlights the collaborative spirit of open-source software, linking it to ancient traditions. Arbisman's insights illustrate how code has emerged as a spellbinding force shaping our future.
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Computing as a Liberal Art
- Computing is a broad humanistic discipline blending math, logic, language, philosophy, biology, art, and simulation.
- Viewing it as a liberal art helps us engage with technology beyond mere engineering and repair our relationship with it.
Code as Real-World Magic
- Computer code is a form of real-world magic that acts on the world like spells.
- Like magic, programming requires craft, effort, precise names, and sometimes sacrifice, reflecting deep power and responsibility.
Programming Languages Are Human
- Remember programs must be written for people to read, not just machines to execute.
- Embrace programming languages as human languages and artistic media to better express yourself and bridge human-machine interaction.
