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OrphanWilde comments on Starting University Advice Repository - Less Wrong Discussion

12 Post author: Bryan-san 03 December 2015 11:51PM

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Comment author: OrphanWilde 04 December 2015 04:30:13PM 2 points [-]

I have no idea whether to downvote. On the one hand, you don't explain why. On the other hand, neither does Lumifer.

But:

I have never in my career needed proofs, and never expect to; I've needed linear algebra on multiple occasions, and expect to many times in the future. I work as a programmer, and have been programming for around twenty years now. I have developed something that twenty years ago might have been called AI. I have managed dozens of projects, and worked on dozens more.

So, where am I going? Proofs are an absolutely worthless skill to have in terms of "getting a bachelor's and going and getting a job". There -might- be a job where you need to write proofs, but if there is, I haven't seen it.

Comment author: IlyaShpitser 04 December 2015 04:35:53PM *  0 points [-]

What did you develop 20 years ago?


You should know I ignore karma, btw.


Think about the form of the statement you are making: "I don't know X, and it doesn't seem like I need X." Well, how do you know you don't? You have to compare current world to a counterfactual world where you did know X. How do you know you wouldn't be vastly better off? See also: "I don't need this fancy book learnin' I am doing fine in life."

Comment author: OrphanWilde 04 December 2015 04:39:06PM 3 points [-]

Think about the form of the statement you are making: "I don't know X, and it doesn't seem like I need X." Well, how do you know you don't? You have to compare current world to a counterfactual world where you did know X. How do you know you wouldn't be vastly better off?

That's not the statement I am making. I do know X; proofs were required coursework for every CS major at the educational facility I attended. I've never needed it.