#novelty When Dijkstra speaks of "[[Radical Novelty]]," he is referring to the concept of creating entirely new and innovative solutions or approaches to problems. He emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the box and avoiding being limited by existing conventions or traditional methods. Therefore, he mentioned the term: [[orthogonal method]]. According to [[Edsger Wybe Dijkstra|Dijkstra]], true progress can only be achieved by embracing radical novelty and constantly seeking new ways to tackle challenges. This term was mentioned many times in his paper named: "[[@CrueltyReallyTeaching2022|On the Cruelty of Really Teaching Computer Science]]". In his paper "[[@CrueltyReallyTeaching2022|On the Cruelty of Really Teaching Computer Science]]," [[Edsger Wybe Dijkstra|Dijkstra]],introduces the concept of "[[Radical Novelty]]" to describe the fundamental and unprecedented nature of computer science as a discipline. This concept is central to understanding Dijkstra's perspective on the unique challenges of teaching and understanding computer science. **Radical Novelty** refers to the idea that computer science, unlike many other fields, is not an extension or continuation of existing sciences but is fundamentally new and different. It deals with a new kind of entity: abstract, formal, and governed by rules of logic and mathematics in a way that is unlike anything that came before. This novelty means that traditional ways of thinking, derived from our experiences with the physical world, are often inadequate or misleading when applied to computing. For example, in the physical world, objects have inherent limitations and behaviors, whereas in the digital realm, the behavior of software systems is largely determined by how they are conceptualized and constructed. This requires a mode of thinking that is not naturally developed through everyday experiences. **How Radical Novelty Relates to the Orthogonal Method:** The [[Orthogonal Method]], which Dijkstra discusses, is related to this concept of [[Radical Novelty]] in that it represents a way of thinking and problem-solving that is particularly suited to the unique nature of computing. The Orthogonal Method emphasizes the importance of decomposing problems into independent components. This approach is crucial in a field like computer science, where systems can become exceedingly complex and traditional, intuitive methods of problem-solving are not always applicable. In the context of Radical Novelty, the Orthogonal Method can be seen as a necessary response to the unique challenges posed by the new and abstract nature of computer science. By encouraging the [[separation of concerns]] and independent thinking, the Orthogonal Method helps practitioners and students of computer science to navigate the uncharted territory of this radically novel field. It aids in managing complexity by allowing designers and developers to focus on one aspect of a system at a time, without being overwhelmed by the interactions of the whole. Dijkstra's discussion of these concepts is a part of his broader argument that computer science requires a fundamental rethinking of how we approach problem-solving, separate from our intuitions formed by the physical world. He advocates for a teaching approach that emphasizes these novel aspects, preparing students to think in ways that are suited to the unique nature of computing. # References ```dataview Table title as Title, authors as Authors where contains(subject, "Radical Novelty") ```