In this talk, I'd like to convince you to start learning a new language. But why would you learn a new language? ESR summarized it better than I can:

LISP is worth learning for a different reason [than practicality] -- the profound enlightenment experience you will have when you finally get it. That experience will make you a better programmer for the rest of your days, even if you never actually use LISP itself a lot.
- Eric Stevens Raymond, the original hacker
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/hacker-howto.html

I have personally learned a bit of LISP, but I've also learned a lot of many other programming languages. I cut my teeth on C++ in high school, started with Java in college, and moved on to Python and C later in my bachelors. Since coming to Cerner, I've learned Ruby and several dialects of Javascript, and I've dabbled in Rust and Go.

Do you know what a conjugation is? If you've ever had any semesters of a second natural language, I guarantee you do. Do you know what a hygienic macro is? If you've done much LISP or Rust, you probably do.

The cool thing about these concepts is that you can apply them to the languages you already know. Recognizing verb tenses will allow you to pick the correct one in your writing and speaking. Knowing about macro hygiene means you already know about macros, one of the greatest time savers in all of programming, and that you know the pitfalls. Most programming languages have at least limited support for macros, even if it's in the form of the dreaded `eval`.

If you want to learn a natural language, duolingo is free and a great starting point. If you want to learn a programming language, perhaps the best way to learn it is to code in it, following the guide or book from that language's website.

Target Audience: Anyone who knows at least one programming or natural language, but mostly programming.