A modernist retort for those who haven't seen it yet:
http://www.charlespetzold.com/etc/DoesVisualStudioRotTheMind.html

Stephen Freeman wrote:

>I think you might be onto something. I hadn't realise how subtle MS
>have been to use Pathology as an educational technique.
>
>Pathology (from Greek pathos, feeling, pain, suffering; and logos,
>study of; see also -ology) is the study of the processes underlying
>disease and other forms of illness, harmful abnormality, or dysfunction.
>
>Yes, it all fits!
>
>S.
>
>On 1 Feb 2006, at 12:07, nat_pryce wrote:
>
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>>--- In postmodernprogramming@yahoogroups.com, Stephen Freeman
>><steve@m...> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>On 1 Feb 2006, at 10:34, Keith Braithwaite wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>fantastic notion to me. Which raises the question: how would you go
>>>>about learning a language like a post-modernist?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>The way most people do... Skim through enough of the book/tutorial to
>>>figure out the basics of the syntax and to get something to run. Then
>>>copy and paste an example from the web/MSDN that mostly does what you
>>>need. Rinse and repeat.
>>>
>>>
>>And don't underestimate the utility of refactoring tools in helping
>>people learn from examples.
>>
>>I used to hate the Microsoft example code found in MSDN and the SDKs.
>> It's all poorly written. Most of it serves to hide the point of the
>>specific example. The MSDN is a virtual textbook in how *not* to
>>program.
>>
>>But I now realise that I had completely missed the point of those
>>examples.
>>
>>When armed with ReSharper, Microsoft's example code is a fantastic way
>>to learn. Start with something virtually unintelligable and then
>>refactor your way to clarity. Rename variables to discover intent,
>>delete unnecessary code, pull out methods and classes to describe what
>>you learn as you decipher the code.
>>
>>In the end you have a much deeper understanding of the API in question
>>and a clear expression of your understanding in code.
>>
>>What I find surprising is that Microsoft's MSDN team invented a method
>>of teaching that relies upon tools that Microsoft themselves are
>>unable to implement.
>>
>>
>>
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