[SudarshanP]

Many confuse the Chomsky approach v/s Norvig approach as who is right and who is wrong. But that is an unnecessary distraction. Consider planes. The wright brothers studied planes without mastering Fluid dynamics. Their planes flew. That was awesome. But plane makers kept exploring and inventing. We achieved super sonic speeds and even made rockets. As time passed, we learnt more and more about fluid flows. While on the one hand atoms jiggling around with various velocities is all that we are studying. But the fluids demonstrate very rich and complex behaviours. Only a fool would stay contented that the aeroplane flew. Our understanding of fluid dynamics comes in handy to model wind turbines and weather patterns and a whole host of awesome areas. A lot of those great discoveries came from investments in aeronautical research made by profit hungry entrepreneurs. The science v/s technology debate is usually just funding politics. It is silly to argue whether the eye runs the marathon or the leg runs the marathon. Let us just accept that "the runner runs the marathon" and just move on.

Chomsky may or may not be right. Just like aristotle was not right about many things. He was a genius and he contributed as well. He may have stirred up some trouble also. Over time if we are fortunate enough we may get a clear understanding of the core ideas like we understand the behavior of a fluid. If we have to settle with flying planes but don't understand wind, we cannot go supersonic or reach the moon.