I'm not sure that I think directly in code, maybe it's more like I'm fluent
- like I tend not to have to think about code, like how if you are fluent in a language, you don't have to think about the words or pronunciation or anything, it just flows. Of course, if the code doesn't work, then I have to go think about it. Our subconcious has a lot to do with it - I mean I think about techniques all the time, how would I achieve a particular effect, how would a complex model work, that sort of thing. Then when it comes to programming that, I can usually go right ahead and start coding, only compiling once I'm done. It's scary sometimes how often it works on the first compile. It's not so much that the code is brilliant, because it's not, it's just code that gets the job done, usually gets improved or optimised later. But I've seen myself code an entire system from scratch without thinking about it much at all, knowing what needs done and knowing what the rules are, then it's like having a conversation in English with the interpreter... as if the programming language is just a tool in which our brain communicates, just like a spoken or written language - but we still have to convert the syntax.
I think it's something that you can only get with a lot of experience, a lot of thinking about how things are done in videogames, sleepless nights. Like instinct - old school instinct, just like a plumber who has been doing the job for 30 years can probably smell what the problem is before even looking, his subconcious has already been through all the options and solved them all - his concious only taking part when deciding how much to charge
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Did you study technical drawing Pincho?
I think that helped me a lot, I studied that all through high school. Being able to focus and decipher a complex object or idea in your head - the brain has to be trained to do stuff like that, but nobody really knows how the subconcious works, it just gets on with it based on the tools it has I guess. In my previous job I would take a clients blueprints and break it all down to components, order the material, make drawings and instructions on how to build the thing, and I would be doing that 3 times faster than the guys with engineering degree's and all sorts of experience. I don't think the modern education system is doing very much to nurture and improve the actual thought processes, it's a shame, because where on earth are the innovators gonna come from now! - we can't afford to wait until people hit university before they start properly thinking for themselves.
Health, Ammo, and bacon and eggs!
