What is The Magic of Code?
The Magic of Code is my attempt to rekindle a sense of delight in computing, showing that understanding computers is not just a branch of engineering but a kind of humanistic liberal art, one that touches on language, philosophy, biology, art, ancient mythology, and so much more. It's a fun romp through the weirdness and wonders of computation.
Why did you write The Magic of Code?
I wrote this book as a sort of love letter to the computer. Our society's relationship with technology feels a bit broken, and I hope this book might be able to restore a sense of excitement and wonder. But it's also the kind of book I wish I had when I was younger and first becoming interested in computers. I had to cobble together many of these ideas on my own when I was young, and I hope this is the sort of book that can inspire and delight those who are not yet familiar with code and computers.
Who or what inspired you?
My experiences when I was young definitely inspired this book. My family were early adopters of computers, with my father getting us a Commodore VIC-20 when I was little, and then followed by an early Macintosh. We also had early access to the Internet. All of these experiences and more—along with my parents' support of my explorations of these digital worlds—helped me to realize that computing could be a source of wonder and a window into so much.
Pre-order The Magic of Code (it’s wonderful) and visit website Samuel’s website (it’s also wonderful).