The Programmer's World; Is it Our World?

Ullman describes the culture of programmers as a disconnected group from the rest of "normal" society. Sensual feelings are abandoned and replaced with a commitment to rational thinking. All humanely needs are summed down to the most basic; food and drink. Every other desire is fulfilled by the technological puzzle that captures their mental capacities. They are not concerned with the purpose of the puzzle, or what service their work is towards. Rather, the puzzle is written in a different language; a technological language that separates their mental world from the rest of life.

Their connections to one another as programmers lie in an understanding of this estranged language. As Ullman says "we are together in a universe where two human beings can simultaneously understand the statement 'if space is numeric!'". They long not for satisfaction through means with imperfections that would drive any other human being. Where other human beings can be fulfilled by exaggerating what is in this world to meet their standards, programmers looks to be "right" to be perfect in their calculations. For this "unspeakable, incalculable gift" to be "as always right" is what creates the technological world.

Working away at the code of programming, the programmers become close to the machine, close to this "right" way. Ullman likes to be engaged in the programming reality where she can write an "abstracted interface to any arbitrary input device". Other programmers share this understanding of logic, and can be lost in their "own inner electricities".

So what is reality? Is it the purpose these programmers fulfill; working towards a software program to help AIDS patients, or is it the inner workings of codes the programmers see to make such a software program? I find it interesting how two seemingly different worlds of perception can merge into a connection where when assessed properly can exist simultaneously. Technology is all around us and often helps us in a non-technological sense by providing a medium to throw our emotions of fear and hope onto. But this program is written in a manner so far away from any emotional feeling, only rational logic.

Ford, Marjorie. "Getting Close to the Machine". The Changing World of Work. Perarson Education, Inc., 2006.87-96.