Path: csiph.com!newsfeed.hal-mli.net!feeder3.hal-mli.net!newsfeed.hal-mli.net!feeder1.hal-mli.net!newsfeed.xs4all.nl!newsfeed2.news.xs4all.nl!xs4all!newsgate.cistron.nl!newsgate.news.xs4all.nl!post.news.xs4all.nl!not-for-mail Return-Path: X-Original-To: python-list@python.org Delivered-To: python-list@mail.python.org X-Spam-Status: OK 0.031 X-Spam-Evidence: '*H*': 0.94; '*S*': 0.00; 'causing': 0.04; 'subject:Python': 0.06; 'plenty': 0.07; 'subject:language': 0.09; 'cc:addr:python-list': 0.11; 'python': 0.11; '"we': 0.16; 'from:addr:rosuav': 0.16; 'from:name:chris angelico': 0.16; 'subject:programming': 0.16; 'do,': 0.16; 'wrote:': 0.18; 'discussion': 0.18; 'thu,': 0.19; '>>>': 0.22; 'cc:addr:python.org': 0.22; 'either.': 0.24; 'cc:2**0': 0.24; 'subject:/': 0.26; 'world,': 0.26; 'header:In-Reply-To:1': 0.27; 'am,': 0.29; "doesn't": 0.30; 'dec': 0.30; 'especially': 0.30; 'message-id:@mail.gmail.com': 0.30; 'getting': 0.31; 'stuff': 0.32; 'knowledge': 0.35; 'done.': 0.35; 'received:google.com': 0.35; 'done': 0.36; 'level': 0.37; 'pm,': 0.38; '12,': 0.39; 'how': 0.40; 'problems.': 0.60; 'reaching': 0.61; 'world': 0.66; 'sound': 0.68; "today's": 0.70; 'url:jpg': 0.83; 'url:images': 0.83; '2:02': 0.84; 'ethan': 0.84; 'furman': 0.84; 'to:none': 0.92; '2013': 0.98 DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=20120113; h=mime-version:in-reply-to:references:date:message-id:subject:from:cc :content-type; bh=STRrlhzNhoYiEfm8WyM1RvQjsiizEy4XdciEd/+ioDk=; b=06t/kpjAwzyOcUMFdYMJoIzQH5oZpkV9iSJWUal5SecIYlO/lzrN/S+aAEDcVEX6Ku kiqlF0zFaAO/zerTjIqRfQM5LHN/7/KLG8FbCIUqxbu8ZJdIxD1tCKEfowz5EMH2s6Yc AflHS/t0Oy0ArXY0V8LRZoBOOAIBH4TEEywOkiLa0XrOz1HUko2ZeWgym+xXUN34gukb 8bnm4JqxxOexk8myjKsL2BGoKQ+j2nmmrf1h6jb3EPoIQ63nXkFAks4JK8QfvfdMC/RO OPAY5nA+e8XEcgNAReIhUWHF9XJHbLMRFaUAGa6AV0zRjLBjcwGTHc4fMHjuIjBuHZKu b+FA== MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Received: by 10.68.173.132 with SMTP id bk4mr5534474pbc.169.1386803260967; Wed, 11 Dec 2013 15:07:40 -0800 (PST) In-Reply-To: <52A8CF60.9040202@stoneleaf.us> References: <201312090824.25211.gheskett@wdtv.com> <52A78F6F.3060507@stoneleaf.us> <52A8CF60.9040202@stoneleaf.us> Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2013 10:07:40 +1100 Subject: Re: Experiences/guidance on teaching Python as a first programming language From: Chris Angelico Cc: Python Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 X-BeenThere: python-list@python.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.15 Precedence: list List-Id: General discussion list for the Python programming language List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Newsgroups: comp.lang.python Message-ID: Lines: 27 NNTP-Posting-Host: 2001:888:2000:d::a6 X-Trace: 1386803264 news.xs4all.nl 2877 [2001:888:2000:d::a6]:59243 X-Complaints-To: abuse@xs4all.nl Xref: csiph.com comp.lang.python:61623 On Thu, Dec 12, 2013 at 7:47 AM, Ethan Furman wrote: > On 12/11/2013 12:34 AM, Devin Jeanpierre wrote: >> >> On Tue, Dec 10, 2013 at 2:02 PM, Ethan Furman wrote: >>> >>> Doesn't sound like they do, as that's causing plenty of problems. In >>> today's world that level of knowledge isn't always necessary, especially >>> if >>> your degree is not in CS. One of the (many) nice things about Python is >>> one >>> doesn't need to know that stuff to Get Things Done. >> >> >> You don't need to know how to use the brakes to drive to Wal-Mart, >> either. > > > In my world, Getting Things Done includes not crashing at my destination. > ;) Reminds me of this discussion of reaching the moon: http://htmlimg4.scribdassets.com/4uppo05fpc5w0c0/images/17-77601f4dfc.jpg "We shall end up by arriving, I suppose." ChrisA