Author: Jim Christian

How India’s Mars Orbiter Mission Proved Creative Constraints Can Launch You to the Stars

How India’s Mars Orbiter Mission Proved Creative Constraints Can Launch You to the Stars

Discover how India’s Mars Orbiter Mission, Mangalyaan, achieved what many thought impossible on a shoestring budget. For just $74 million, much less than NASA’s $700 million spend, ISRO crafted a mission filled with clever problem-solving, resourcefulness, and innovative engineering. Learn how constraints sparked creativity, how an elegant “slingshot” trajectory replaced brute force, and why focused design and rapid iteration made all the difference. This inspiring story reveals powerful lessons for coders, creators, and problem-solvers about turning limits into launchpads for success.

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How the Ancient Game of Go Reveals the Secrets of Coding and Complex Systems

How the Ancient Game of Go Reveals the Secrets of Coding and Complex Systems

Discover how the ancient game of Go, with its simple rules and infinite possibilities, mirrors the world of programming and complex systems. From tiny stone placements shifting entire strategies to AI like AlphaGo mastering deep learning and pattern recognition, this post explores the magic of emergence, creative problem-solving, and thinking several moves ahead—essential lessons for coders and curious minds alike.

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From Blocks to Python: Making the Leap from Scratch’s Visual Coding to Text-Based Programming

From Blocks to Python: Making the Leap from Scratch’s Visual Coding to Text-Based Programming

Discover how to make the exciting leap from Scratch’s colorful, block-based coding to the powerful world of Python programming. This guide shows you that the logic you’ve mastered in Scratch translates directly into Python’s text-based language. Learn why starting with visual blocks builds a strong foundation, how Python opens up endless possibilities, and how to confidently translate your Scratch projects into Python code step by step. Embrace the adventure of expanding your coding skills and unlock new creative freedom with text-based programming.

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How Martin Gardner’s Mathematical Games Teach You to Think Like a Programmer

How Martin Gardner’s Mathematical Games Teach You to Think Like a Programmer

Discover how Martin Gardner’s legendary “Mathematical Games” column from Scientific American laid the foundation for computational thinking—teaching puzzle-solving, pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and problem decomposition long before coding was mainstream. Explore how Gardner’s playful puzzles helped millions develop essential skills that translate directly into programming and debugging, making complex concepts accessible and fun. Learn why his approach to persistence, creativity, and systematic thinking still matters in today’s digital and AI-driven world.

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Available now!

How to Think Like a Coder: Without Even Trying!

"Programming needs a grasp of the basics – coding – so here’s the ideal start … An excellent book.” - Parents in Touch