Syntax & Sage

by Sep Kamvar

Syntax & Sage weaves ideas about nature, software, art, and urban design in a book that shows how software shapes the world, how the world shapes people, and how people shape software.

Genres: Design, Technology

120 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Mohammad حکمت · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book with its beautiful accompanying illustrations is quite thought-provoking. It covers a wide range of ideas and observations from the relationship between software and humans, nature and software, and human and nature. It poses questions on the philosophy of software design, although at times it fails to provide an answer. The book is short and even shorter than what one would expect from its page count, yet it's deep and by the time I reached the last page it left me wanting more.

[Rajesh Kamath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing little treasure - quirky, delightful and thought-provoking, without being fluffy. Indeed, whenever Sep appears to be getting too utopian, he gives real-world examples of highly successful companies, to ground his ideas.

If this book could be said to have a central thesis, it'd be this -- the Industrial Age had its successful paradigms, like the factory. And these paradigms influenced how we thought about and organized other aspects of society, like education. The Internet Age has its own highly successful paradigms, many of which hark back to deep impulses in human nature, like sharing and individual creativity. This, in turn, frees us to re-imagine other aspects of life in ways which are simultaneously old and new.

Of course, the book isn't organized as an argument. If it were, it wouldn't be anywhere near as much fun. I also love the artwork, which perfectly blends with the mood of the book.

[Puneet Kohli · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a collection of short write-ups (akin to a Facebook status) by the author. The book is a quick afternoon read from cover to cover but provides little to no value to the reader.

As a programmer reading this book to get some insights, all I was left with was the ramblings of another.

Well-written, but not a great read.

[Matthew Sun · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute & short read, full of small essays/reflections (+ original artwork by the author!) about tech, nature, & the human experience! doesn't go particularly deep into any of these topics, and is not particularly historical in its perspective, but i still enjoyed it as a light dose of optimism

[Alon Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A true gem.

[Bria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically a collection of short blog posts that more or less captures the sentiments of the modern thoughtful programmer.

[Leonard 1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

The is well written with nice illustrations. A short read.

[Raphael Schaad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of very short essays about software and life by Sep Kamvar. Philosophical and inspirational. Easy and quick read.

Notes:
- Quote during a lecture of the author at the MIT Media Lab: "As creators of technology, a strong perspective on life creates a strong perspective on technology, which creates strong and differentiated products."
- Highlights: (1) Making something a little easier can create big shifts (Google button; p. 65), (2) How software can shape the city (Twitter + food trucks; p. 68), (3) How to find existing "beauty" that can be unlocked with technology (bird chirping; p. 83)
- Beautiful illustrations by Kim Smith (watercolor, photographed, cut out/edited in Photoshop).
- Got the signed hardcover from the author.