The Orthogonal Bet Samantha John on Hopscotch the easy bake oven of code
Apr 30, 2025
Samantha John, co-founder of Hopscotch, discusses her innovative programming platform designed to make coding accessible and fun for kids. She shares the origins of Hopscotch and its evolution into a collaborative community tool, emphasizing creativity and support among young coders. The conversation touches on the historical barriers in tech and the transformative experience of learning programming. They also delve into the impact of AI on the future of coding education, highlighting the importance of fostering a love for programming from an early age.
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Early Computer Frustration Anecdote
- Samantha John eliminated computer science from her choices in college due to frustrating early experiences with unreliable computers.
- Despite this, she later became a proficient programmer, showing that good programming skills don't require being a computer expert.
Gender Marketing Impact on Computing
- Computers were marketed as 'boy stuff' in the 80s, impacting girls' early exposure and confidence with computing.
- Originally, women were prominent in early computing roles, reflecting shifting societal views over time.
Programming Styles Differ by Gender
- Boys and girls tend to create differently in programming, reflecting personality and interests.
- Some boy programmers push the limits technically, creating complex and hard-to-read code.