Yvette’s Reading Response #5

I actually enjoyed Somer’s articile, mostly because of his tone and examples. Yes, there are countless problems in the world that could easily be solved electronically. Whether it be through a website with information, an app, or any other type of electronic program. The knowledge of coding isn’t what makes someone a genius, but more on how they use is. This might seem obvious, because there has to be a good idea behind something that’s actually useful, but is that specific outlet or inlet actually helpful?

People get caught up in success and wealth. When there seems to be a good idea, people run with it, slightly blind sighted of the results or its actual uses. Programs and websites that make everyday living easier aren’t useless, but are they really needed? Probably not. It’s more so about the content of the product or its purposes that are important.

Somers explained this idea further by stating, “I have a friend who’s a mechanical engineer. He used to build airplane engines for General Electric, and now he’s trying to develop a smarter pill bottle to improve compliance for AIDS and cancer patients. He works out of a start-up ‘incubator’, in an office space shared with dozens of web companies. He doesn’t have a lot of patience for them. ‘I’m fucking sick of it,’ he told me, ‘all they talk about is colours.’” This example is really important because it goes to show what the majority is focusing on. We seem to think that details such as colors make a difference into the success of a product, when really, if the product is genuinely great, it will speak for itself.

Being a programmer or coder is beneficial because they are put to work so often. There will be work for them to do a lot of the time, and finding a job may not be complicated. Someone has to create the basics, but when it comes to design, it might not be as needed. Companies won’t be changing their ways of how they create anytime soon, however, programming and coding (the way it is currently being used) may not be necessary in an ideal world.