Human Quote by Ellen Ullman
“When knowledge passes into code, it changes state; like water turned to ice, it becomes a new thing, with new properties. We use it, but in a human sense, we no longer know it.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Computer as a Medium,” 1995
Transforming knowledge into code changes its nature, creating new properties that humans use without fully understanding.
In simple terms: Coding changes knowledge into something new and less understood.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how coding alters knowledge.
Themes
technology
knowledge transformation
human-computer interaction
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
technical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- software development
- data analysis
- AI training
- education
Key Concepts
information theory
software engineering
Questions to Reflect On
- How does code alter the original intent of knowledge?
- What responsibilities arise from this transformation?
A Different Perspective
Code can obscure original meaning, leading to misuse.
![“I've always written. I'm from an older generation of programmers [who] did not come out of engineering. [A]ll sorts of people were drawn in from the social sciences and humanities.” quote by Ellen Ullman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/341/ellen-ullman-3943_engineering_i-ve-always-written-i-m-from-an-older-ge_363898.jpg)
