syntax vs semantics

an old topic revisited. i've been continuously observing two kinds of learning ppl use. one is syntax-dominated: rote learning of axioms of topic after getting thru the semantics to that axiom point in learning space. the other one is semantics-dominated: treading all possible paths in the concrete behavior space not paying heed to any kind of axioms or symbolic information and obtaining the confidence of having learnt the topic only after analysing all paths and getting the feeling of it.

the astute way to do it wud be defnitely wot i call above syntax oriented. working on the concrete semantic space is much harder than the abstract syntactic one. very similar to the fact that u need symbolic words to express concrete thoughts. u consider a sub-problem, look at the concrete behaviors that lead to its solutions, define all kinds of properties of its solutions n annotate the sub-problem with such property axioms. then, in future only refer back to such axioms, never actually treading the concrete semantics unless deemed inevitable.

the semantic path can be unanimously (i guess) be understood of having more emotional content, hoho, they are the ultimate source of kicks. yet, they involve repeated redundant traversal of concrete paths, making topics appear far more elusive than they actually are.
again, its easier to go off into plain syntax-oriented reasoning without ever goin back to semantics. words say much more than thoughts that created them, axioms only look at parts of the system without having a wholisitic picture.

therefore, here too in the case of application of intellect to learn new concepts, as in most known cases, we need a balance, a trade-off between syntax n semantic based reasoning. i see many smart old ppl not keeping to syntax at all and hence toiling pretty hard, while several young smart individuals do not pay enuf respect to the semantics as they chart out patterns of quick growth.

boston revisited

i was incredibly captivated by the sheher that is boston the first time i visited it last yr. fascination was exponentially strengthened last week. a zabardast mix of compactness+elegance. cities with crowds have friendlier ppl?

kitne ashk bahaaye dil lagaane ke liye,
motiyon se patthar silwaaye, dil behlaane ke liye.

teri biraadri mein hum sa na mila to,
mehmaan tere ghar bulaaye, dil behlaane ke liye.

parwaane apne na chun paaye to kya,
deewaane kitne banaaye, dil behlaane ke liye.

badhe baag-e-gulistaan mein jo kadam-do-kadam,
yun hi 'shaks' kaante bichaaye, dil behlaane ke liye.

hara patta

compare this and this.