Developer Weighs AI Tools Against Programming Craft

On Feb. 4, 2026, a programmer recounts their journey from Scratch to numpy, Lisp, Rust, and early neural networks, describing formative projects. They contrast programming craftsmanship with the rise of powerful AI tools—helpful for OCR, image upscaling, and data cleanup but risking erosion of coding craft and emotional attachment. The essay advocates treating AI as careful, pragmatic tools.
Scoring Rationale
Personal, practitioner-focused perspective gives relevance and practical examples; limited novelty and single-author viewpoint reduce broader industry impact.
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