In the digital world, code is the essential primary building block, the equivalent of the cell or the DNA in the biological sphere—and almost as mysterious. Code can create entire worlds, real and virtual; it allows us to connect instantly to people and places around the globe; and it performs tasks that were once only possible in science fiction. It is a superpower, and not just in a technical sense. It is also a gateway to ideas.

As vividly illustrated by Samuel Arbesman in his latest best-seller, coding is the ultimate connector, providing new insight and meaning into how everything from language and mythology to biblical texts, biology, and even our patterns of thought connect with the history and nature of computing.

By providing us with a framework to think about coding and its effects upon the world and placing the past, current, and future developments in computing into its broader setting we see how software and computers can work for people as opposed to against our needs. With this deeper understanding into the “why” of coding we can be masters of technology rather than its subjects.

 

Book Signing

Rainy Day Books will host a book signing immediately following the lecture. Copies of The Magic of Code will be available for purchase at the event.