[urs2102]

One of my favorite classes with Bjarne from college was Bjarne telling us the story of a ten year-old who wrote him asking if it was too late to start programming and what he should learn so he can work as a programmer (to get started so he could be one of the best in the world at something in the field).

Bjarne says he responded by telling the kid to stop worrying about work or what he wanted to work as, and to spend time playing (both on the computer and just outside) because it was just as good as good for the mind as sitting in front of the computer and that ten year-olds could often be the best in the world at playing.

Similar to his penchant for fiction here, this is something I’ve always loved about Bjarne... despite being so good at one thing: finding the beauty in balance.

[newsbinator]

I'd bet that the nervous 10-year-old promptly ignored Bjarne's advice and went on to ask others what to cram.

[watwut]

And maybe 10-years old would be right. Not because of becoming best in the world, but because there would be zero harm to his development, really.

[Aperocky]

Unless he burns out.

Usually 10 years old (speaking from experience) don’t worry about job or employment prospect, they just want to do the cool thing. And if it’s the former that’s pushing I suspect a strong possibility of burning out.

Heck, even as an adult I can barely tolerate working on things I’m not interested in but pressured so.

[stjohnswarts]

Jeesh you must be fun at parties.