https://confusion.tweakblogs.net/blog/1418/why-functional-programming-doesnt-catch-on.html
The above is an interesting article about functional programming and why it fail to catch on.
Every introduction to a programming language shows you the recursive method to calculate Fibonacci numbers. It’s abstract, many people do not relate to it very well, but it’s only a single example. However, the documentation for FP languages seem to consist solely of these kinds of highly mathematically inspired examples. No ‘Address’ class to be found there. Hasn’t anyone written a functional equivalent of the Pet Store application to demonstrate the power of FP for the regular work that most of us do?
This is sometimes the challenge I hear from people, that they find it too theoretical to apply certain religious concepts (be it Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam or the religion you dig!) in their every day life. While some faith’s tenets and ideals are meant to be other-worldly, Buddhist teachings are meant for daily applications.
When we attend Dharma classes, we need to relate it to our daily experiences
and reflect upon how our life can be further improved. Is there anything we could have done or said differently? What can we do in future to be more considerate towards others? Was there relevance at all?
People that want to improve the world often overlook one fundamental problem: you cannot improve the world just by being right. You need to convince others of that fact if you want to exert influence. If you cannot convince them, find out why you cannot convince them. I think there is a bright future ahead for functional programming, as soon as someone stands up to convince the masses.
We need to be convinced for ourselves that the teachings really do work out. We need to try it out and see for ourselves. The Dharma is meant to be explored and experienced, not merely for recitation.
So start now, see if you can pick something about your day that you can change about. And see if you can apply the Buddhist teachings, then share your findings here.
😀
Quote: “You cannot improve the world just by being right. You need to convince others of that fact if you want to exert influence.”
This is the tough part… Somehow not everyone is interested to be right or to do the right thing. And since truth often hurts, it’s very difficult to inform, let alone convince, them that they need to pull up their socks.
I guess the lesson here is not to give up, but to continue to create the conditions for them to want to be convinced. If not this life, maybe next, and next, and next… 🙂