I dislike "vibe" coding—I do have to do it at work, but it really introduces so much tech debt and I don't really learn anything.
As for why I didn't back the other 2 Kickstarters, I have a backlog of Python books to read/use in my free time, including your 2nd edition of Python 101, which I've found helpful so far but not yet finished.
It depends on the book. I still love physical books, and I don’t think AI has made them unnecessary.
AI is incredibly helpful, but only if you know what to ask. Recently, I bought four big Python books, and a fifth one is arriving in October.
What I want from a technical book has changed, though. I want perspective. I want it to show me something I didn’t know I should be asking about in the first place. Once I discover that idea, I can take it to AI, ask questions, challenge it, and go much deeper.
But if a book just explains basic things I can easily get from AI, then no, I’m not spending a penny on it.
I personally enjoy learning from books & do want to 'learn/understand stuff' rather than just get AI to 'do stuff' - But I'm a relic from a bygone age !! - And feel that 'doing books' is very much on the way out ...
Why buy a book when you can watch numerous free YouTube videos if you want to 'learn something' - And if you just want to 'do something' why not get AI to do it ?
I also feel that this also applies to books in general, not just tech ones - As when I'm out & about I notice that:
People watching/looking at stuff > People reading eBooks > People reading physical books
Regarding your particular books:
Vibe Coding Video Games - I've no interest in Vibe Coding or Video Games
I also have a huge backlog of books, several of yours Mike. I am also not really a developer. I am a database administrator who enjoys writing code, but I don't do it regularly. I have been trying to cut back on buying books which add to my backlog. Also, due to my infrequent coding, I do lean on mostly chat based AI for help these days.
Hey! I'm mostly a computer-algebra mathematician, so I'm glad to delegate coding to the AI most of the time. It is still useful to know how to audit and fix the code if necessary, of course, but that need will diminish with time. I see books written by experts like you nowadays most useful for AI training, so that in the near future we can all benefit automatically of all the tricks and deep-thinking you can contribute...
I dislike "vibe" coding—I do have to do it at work, but it really introduces so much tech debt and I don't really learn anything.
As for why I didn't back the other 2 Kickstarters, I have a backlog of Python books to read/use in my free time, including your 2nd edition of Python 101, which I've found helpful so far but not yet finished.
I'm a fan. Just bought your "vibe" book. I still read a lot, but, in Python case, I'm more interested in a read "Python 301" or a "Python 401" book.
It depends on the book. I still love physical books, and I don’t think AI has made them unnecessary.
AI is incredibly helpful, but only if you know what to ask. Recently, I bought four big Python books, and a fifth one is arriving in October.
What I want from a technical book has changed, though. I want perspective. I want it to show me something I didn’t know I should be asking about in the first place. Once I discover that idea, I can take it to AI, ask questions, challenge it, and go much deeper.
But if a book just explains basic things I can easily get from AI, then no, I’m not spending a penny on it.
I personally enjoy learning from books & do want to 'learn/understand stuff' rather than just get AI to 'do stuff' - But I'm a relic from a bygone age !! - And feel that 'doing books' is very much on the way out ...
Why buy a book when you can watch numerous free YouTube videos if you want to 'learn something' - And if you just want to 'do something' why not get AI to do it ?
I also feel that this also applies to books in general, not just tech ones - As when I'm out & about I notice that:
People watching/looking at stuff > People reading eBooks > People reading physical books
Regarding your particular books:
Vibe Coding Video Games - I've no interest in Vibe Coding or Video Games
Python 101 - I already have your 2nd Edition
Python Typing - I've got it & am enjoying it 👍
That's my tuppence worth - Cheers 😀
I also have a huge backlog of books, several of yours Mike. I am also not really a developer. I am a database administrator who enjoys writing code, but I don't do it regularly. I have been trying to cut back on buying books which add to my backlog. Also, due to my infrequent coding, I do lean on mostly chat based AI for help these days.
Hey! I'm mostly a computer-algebra mathematician, so I'm glad to delegate coding to the AI most of the time. It is still useful to know how to audit and fix the code if necessary, of course, but that need will diminish with time. I see books written by experts like you nowadays most useful for AI training, so that in the near future we can all benefit automatically of all the tricks and deep-thinking you can contribute...