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Thus spake the master programmer:
``After three days without programming, life becomes meaningless.''
2.1
The programmers of old were mysterious and profound. We cannot fathom their
thoughts, so all we do is describe their appearance.
Aware, like a fox crossing the water. Alert, like a general on the battlefield.
Kind, like a hostess greeting her guests. Simple, like uncarved blocks of wood.
Opaque, like black pools in darkened caves.
Who can tell the secrets of their hearts and minds?
The answer exists only in Tao.
2.2
Grand Master Turing once dreamed that he was a machine. When he awoke he
exclaimed:
``I don't know whether I am Turing dreaming that I am a machine, or a
machine dreaming that I am Turing!''
2.3
A programmer from a very large computer company went to a software conference
and then returned to report to his manager, saying: ``What sort of programmers
work for other companies? They behaved badly and were unconcerned with
appearances. Their hair was long and unkempt and their clothes were wrinkled
and old. They crashed our hospitality suite and they made rude noises during my
presentation.''
The manager said: ``I should have never sent you to the conference. Those
programmers live beyond the physical world. They consider life absurd, an
accidental coincidence. They come and go without knowing limitations. Without a
care, they live only for their programs. Why should they bother with social
conventions?
``They are alive within the Tao.''
2.4
A novice asked the Master: ``Here is a programmer that never designs, documents
or tests his programs. Yet all who know him consider him one of the best
programmers in the world. Why is this?''
The Master replies: ``That programmer has mastered the Tao. He has gone beyond
the need for design; he does not become angry when the system crashes, but
accepts the universe without concern. He has gone beyond the need for
documentation; he no longer cares if anyone else sees his code. He has gone
beyond the need for testing; each of his programs are perfect within
themselves, serene and elegant, their purpose self-evident. Truly, he has
entered the mystery of Tao.''