Yin Wang's Contrarian Tech Views | Generated by AI
Question: What are the unpopular or controversial ideas expressed by Yin Wang (王垠), the author of the blog at https://www.yinwang.org?
Answer:
Yin Wang (王垠), a computer scientist known for his work in programming languages and static analysis, is the author of the blog “Surely I Am Joking” (https://www.yinwang.org), where he shares contrarian views on technology, education, and society. His writing often challenges mainstream dogma in programming and academia, earning him a cult following in Chinese tech communities but also criticism for being overly polemical. Below is a summary of some of his most notable unpopular ideas, drawn from his posts, Substack writings, and discussions about his work. These ideas frequently prioritize functional programming principles (e.g., Scheme/Lisp) over popular paradigms and dismiss hype in tech trends.
Key Unpopular Ideas:
-
Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is Overhyped and Harmful: Wang argues that OOP, popularized by languages like Java and C++, is a “dogma” that complicates code unnecessarily with concepts like inheritance and classes. He claims it leads to bloated, inflexible systems and promotes poor software design. Instead, he advocates for functional programming (e.g., using Scheme) as simpler and more elegant. This view attacks a cornerstone of modern software engineering, often caricatured as “attacking strawmen” by critics.
-
No True Human-Level Computer Vision Exists: In a 2019 post, Wang dismisses claims of AI achieving human-like vision (e.g., in systems like those from Google or OpenAI), calling it marketing hype. He asserts that current models lack genuine understanding and are just statistical pattern-matching, far from biological vision. This contrarian stance challenges the AI optimism prevalent in tech circles.
-
Overemphasis on Program “Correctness” is Pointless Pedantry: In his 2022 Substack essay “On Program Correctness,” Wang mocks the academic and industry obsession with formal verification and bug-free code as trembling fear-mongering. He compares it to renaming theorems after their provers (e.g., “Riemann’s Theorem” stays named after Riemann, not the prover), arguing that real-world software prioritizes utility over perfection. This downplays a major focus in reliable systems research.
-
Modern Education Systems Fail at Teaching Fundamentals: Through his book Ground-Up Computer Science (a draft available on his site), Wang criticizes university CS curricula for skipping basics like variables, functions, and logic in favor of trendy tools (e.g., Python over Scheme). He promotes a “ground-up” approach starting from first principles, viewing mainstream education as dogmatic and ineffective for fostering deep thinking.
-
Linux Zealotry and Anti-Microsoft Bias Are Irrational: In early 2000s posts like “Completely Using Linux for Work” (which caused a stir in Chinese Linux communities), Wang initially championed full Linux adoption but later critiqued extreme open-source purism. He argues that tools should be chosen pragmatically, not ideologically, challenging the “us vs. them” mentality in FOSS communities.
Wang’s style is provocative—he often uses sarcasm and personal anecdotes, leading to backlash (e.g., Reddit threads calling his arguments smug). His ideas resonate with those frustrated by tech hype but alienate OOP/AI enthusiasts. For deeper dives, explore his blog archives or Substack (https://yinwang0.substack.com).
[References:
- Surely I Am Joking Blog
- On Program Correctness - Substack
- Reddit Discussion on OOP Critique
- Wang Yin Wiki - Blog Mind Map
- Ground-Up Computer Science Draft]