The Programming Reformation

Imagine, for a moment, that you’re one of a select few interpreters of a vast hidden code. The code, roughly, tells how the world works. People flock to you daily for advice based on your ability to interpret these principles, because they’re unable to do so themselves. You’re part interpreter, and part oracle. You have a direct line to shaping thought on a grand scale.

What great power is vested in you! And what a loss it would be for this power to be conferred directly to your flock!

This is more or less what happened to religious leaders during the Protestant Reformation. Programming, I believe, is having its own little Reformation right now. ChatGPT3 was the missive; the internet was the door of All Saints’ Church.

I can’t help but wonder what percentage of the AI naysayers are today’s orthodoxy, sputtering with indignation at losing their followers.

The church lost power during the Protestant Reformantion because people, broadly, gained literacy. They could read their own dang Bibles now, thanks. No one with any sense would say that this was a bad trade.

I can’t help but notice that LLMs are having a similar effect - but with writing software. LLMs are democratizing writing software. What used to be a scarcely held skill is now within the grasp of many, rather than by programmers alone.

I believe this will be a very good thing. I believe this already is a very good thing. We’re simply going to have to wait thru the priesthood fussing about their congregations shrinking. as they learn to read (and write) their own damn programs now.

In other words: the laity have learned not only to read, but to write. And it was good.

Hello, world!