From ...
From: Erik Naggum <erik@naggum.net>
Subject: Re: My opinion re LISP
Date: 2000/10/18
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* Claire Quilty <cryon@my-deja.com>
| It's a poorly designed language.

  Well, what did you expect?  It was designed back in the early
  1640's, when computers were driven by slaves and falling water.
  Of _course_ it must have some historical elements that are hard to
  explain to an obstinate youngster of today.  I mean, sheesh.

  But look at our grand history!  Take the fine Constitution of the
  United States, culminating in the best ever display of political
  savvy and eloquence in that grand parade towards a new _President_.
  Look how the initial ideas have been able to survive a culture
  transformation from toiling the land to betting on Internet bubbles
  on the stock market, or from bookish people who knew how little they
  knew about running countries and who argued over essentials to that
  effect to today's wonderful, broadcast presidential debates where
  they have simple answers for everything, yet the best value for the
  money is found in the increasingly glorious commercials, made
  possible by the right ideas from the outset:  Lisp is like that: Its
  glorious beginnings have not been diminished by the passage of time,
  but those who come to the world today can hardly see the heritage
  for the colorful outgrowth it allowed but which is distrzcting them.

  Think of the people who built this world out of individual conses,
  (they didn't have cars back then, much less cdrs), and rejoice in
  the wonder that is the world of today, for the ancient idea has
  grown and spread to every living thing: That which is or looks like
  dying we call _listless_.

  Students of today!  They do not want to learn, only exploit the past
  so that their future may be short and bright.  Afterwards, nothing,
  garbage collected.  Listen to the parens who embraced and nourished
  you and you will see that history is not to be discarded, it is the
  foundation upon which we walk.

#:Erik
-- 
  I agree with everything you say, but I would
  attack to death your right to say it.
				-- Tom Stoppard