Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I guarantee you, my mind does not work like yours and I need to translate.

If you want me to explain code as I see it, I'll start in the middle of a function, where you have no context what it happening and jump to another line of code that is two functions removed. Repeat. You will have absolutely no idea what's going on as I flip through tab after tab of code.

My brain does not like doing things in order. I have to force it. Hence the processing overhead.

My friends find it entertaining to listen to me tell a story, because none of it is in order. I frequently backtrack or go down "irrelevant" paths, before returning to one of several previous threads.

Fortunately for this comment and the second and third novels I'm working on simultaneously, editing exists.




It sounds like working on understanding your thought processes would be useful practice for people who want to learn to think and understand flexibly.

You seem to be explaining things from the point of view that your different way of thinking is a problem for others rather than an opportunity for them to grow and learn. That's kind of odd...

Personally I think it would be very interesting to work through code in that way, and I don't think it would particularly detract from my understanding.


That's because I spent a lot of time sitting down to explain how I think clearly while not overloading the reader with chaos.

If you'll indulge me, I'll try to explain using part of a story I wrote as an example. (It is a furry story, hence the animal body language.)

——

## My explanation

“You went grocery shopping?”

“About two hours from now.”

“You can relax,” he says after he sets the kettle down. His ears perk up, staring at me intently, and I steel myself. “I took the week off.”

“I didn’t expect you to be up so early.”

Then I notice the grocery bag on the table. Breakfast probably being oatmeal or toast; we were out of eggs.

“You okay?”

——

Who is speaking at each section of dialog?

1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1

——

## Original

“Yeah,” he replies sheepishly. “You got three minutes to get dressed while I get your coffee.”

“You can relax,” I say after he sets the kettle down. His ears perk up, staring at me intently, and I steel myself. “I took the week off.”

He breathes out slowly, but his tail gets more frazzled. “And you were going to tell me this when?” he says with restraint.

“About two hours from now.” It’s my turn to look sheepish. “I didn’t expect you to be up so early.”

“Thought I’d make you breakfast.”

Breakfast probably being oatmeal or toast; we were out of eggs. Then I notice the grocery bag on the table.

“You went grocery shopping? Did you take your anxiety medication?”

——

Bonus round: What does “You okay?” from the previous section refer to?

There was a minor accident in the kitchen that let to this discussion.

——

This is a bit contrived and I mixed things up more than usual because understanding creative writing on paper is easier than explaining code over zoom.




Consider applying for YC's W25 batch! Applications are open till Nov 12.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: