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In that regard, is it art?


No, not in the sense of "fine art" like Michelangelo, that is a different kind of thing. It's a human artifact, it's design and engineering. And I would argue that art does have a purpose, greater than, say, entertainment.


I'd put it at the boundary between art and craft...

... and I don't understand that you got down-modded for your constructive comment.


what define art is lack of purpose. that's why I call most of my hacks art.


Strictly speaking, if it has no purpose you wouldn't do it. Your hacks may be for learning, entertainment, distraction, avoiding work, etc. Art has a different and distinct purpose, more along the lines of emotional fuel. This is why I disagree with PG about Hackers and Artists. Engineering, design, cool hacks, craft, etc may be exhilarating, but it's not about emotions the same way art is. These are great things on their own, they don't need to steal the word art to be great.


Of course.




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