Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

mild resentment at the "you'll just memorize the tutorial and your knowledge will be shallow"-- seems mildly judgemental and contradictory of "life's too short to do things that don't interest you"


We don't always get a choice in not pursuing what we don't care about. Being aware of the fact that unless you explore a subject beyond what it says on the page, your knowledge is literally shallow knowledge is an important thing to know.

Nothing judgmental about telling folks that?


Shallow knowledge isn't a moral failing either. Most things I do for fun benefit from shallow knowledge of something else that I don't find intrinsically interesting enough to study deeply.


If you're exploring and tinkering, it's OK to go broad and skim trough things quickly. But if you aim for understanding, depth is required. Don’t see a contradiction here with the "life I short part"; it's more about curiosity (exploring) than studying (exploiting).


That doesn't seem contradictory to me. There's nothing inherently wrong with shallow knowledge. Shallow knowledge is only bad if you apply it or advertise it as more.

Knowing when you need depth and when it's enough to just mimic someone/something is a career skill.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: