Beating the Averages


Before reading this text, I’d never thought that Lisp, or any programming language based on it, could be used to develop software and even web-based software as the example mentioned, Viaweb.

I found interesting that specific case and how the author emphasize that, specially talking about startups, it is important not to do or follow the same processes as the others, it is better to have a secret weapon. In this case it was Lisp which gave them the advantage because of the rapid development they can achieve by using it.

I agree with the author when he mentions that the programming language you are using may depend on the objective or the purpose of the project. But it is obvious that no matter what, he prefers Lisp. Actually, he made me to start considering giving Lisp an opportunity.

Basically, he is trying to convince us to use Lisp but the only aspect that interests me is considering it on a startup. I really want to start a new and personal business and the author made me think that maybe I have the secret and success weapon just in front of me.  I didn’t know that the Lisp macros had the importance the author mentioned and how with them we can do things that would be meaningfully difficult to do in another programming language. I think the moment is right now, since there are less people who develop in Lisp, there would be less competition using that powerful and unique tool.

Despite of all these advantages, I have one question: Why Lisp is not commonly used if its power is above of any other programming language? I still want to try it. If the author is wrong about Lisp, the good point is that there would be a new programming language in my list.


 Reference
  1. Graham, P. (2003). Beating the Averages. paulgraham.com. Obtained from: http://www.paulgraham.com/avg.html

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