Peter Wang at SciPy 2010

Python Evangelism 101

Link to the full YouTube video

TL;DW:

lays out some reasons for why Python is useful for scientists (among others)

Bullet points:

• There is a skill distribution among software developers.
• Python allows everyone to participate regardless of skill level.
• Scientists should like this because it means you can get stuff done.

Bonus: Here is the link to the now-unsupported OmniGraphSketch , which Peter used to make phony graphs without data.

Best quotes from the talk:

Fun is codeword for passionate creativity

One key idea of the talk:

Novices can do simple things, the really great people can build tools which then the novices can leverage

Watch the 45 seconds starting around 500 seconds.

How the talk relates to science

Scientists program to get things done

He describes why he is addressing SciPy community specifically.

That's all for now.

-m. gully-santiago, 19 Oct. 2014