{"slug": "always-already-programming-md", "title": "always-already-programming.md", "summary": "All computer users are already programming, as actions like creating folders or renaming files translate into text-based commands and binary code. It critiques the tech industry for reinforcing a false distinction between \"users\" and \"programmers\" to keep people computationally passive, noting that even programmers rely on prewritten functions, making them users as well. The piece advocates for cultivating collective agency to shape technology, fostering a more supportive and affirming digital world.", "body_md": "Everyone who interacts with computers has in important ways always already been programming them.\nEvery time you make a folder or rename a file on your computer, the actions you take through moving your mouse and clicking on buttons, translate into text-based commands or scripts which eventually translate into binary.\nWhy are the common conceptions of programmer and user so divorced from each other? The distinction between programmer and user is reinforced and maintained by a tech industry that benefits from a population rendered computationally passive. If we accept and adopt the role of less agency, we then make it harder for ourselves to come into more agency.\nWe've unpacked the \"user\" a little, now let's look at the \"programmer.\" When a programmer is writing javascript, they are using prewritten, packaged functions and variables in order to carry out the actions they want their code to do. In this way, the programmer is also the user. Why is using pre-made scripts seen so differently than using buttons that fire pre-made scripts?\nWhen we all build up and cultivate one another’s agency to shape technology and online spaces, we are contributing to creating a world that is more supportive, affirming, and healing.\nThanks for stopping by!", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/always-already-programming-md", "canonical_source": "https://gist.github.com/melaniehoff/95ca90df7ca47761dc3d3d58fead22d4", "published_at": "2020-02-03 22:58:55+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-05-22 10:05:11.335760+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["open-source", "developer-tools", "products"], "entities": [], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/always-already-programming-md", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/always-already-programming-md.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/always-already-programming-md.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/always-already-programming-md.jsonld"}}