For a fairly large chunk of the HN crowd Newman, Sutherland, Sproull, Dijkstra, Knuth and Kay are household names.
The fact that computer science is one of the few domains where new entrants simply accept the status quo and do not spend a minute on understanding how we got here is a problem. For one it creates a disconnect between the older (and often wiser) generation in the field and the new comers. For another that disconnect then results in endless re-invention of the same wheels. Because by the time the new cadre has acquired the wisdom the cycle will repeat.
Try imagining a modern day genetics student who does not know who Crick & Watson are. That's your typical CS specialist.
The fact that computer science is one of the few domains where new entrants simply accept the status quo and do not spend a minute on understanding how we got here is a problem. For one it creates a disconnect between the older (and often wiser) generation in the field and the new comers. For another that disconnect then results in endless re-invention of the same wheels. Because by the time the new cadre has acquired the wisdom the cycle will repeat.
Try imagining a modern day genetics student who does not know who Crick & Watson are. That's your typical CS specialist.