Interviews Hacker News recommends
Every interview in the HackerTube list, best-scored first. The score counts the number of different months in which someone on HN recommended it, so a interview people kept coming back to for years outranks one viral thread.
- 11 HN recommenders 13 months 2015–2024N Numberphile2 · interviewHN recommends it as the best readily available interview with Simons, notable for his emphasis on luck and a humble approach to success.
- 11 HN recommenders 10 months 2019–2025V Vintage Computer Federation · interviewHN commenters recommend it for Thompson's funny, first-hand Unix history stories, some of which even Kernighan had not heard.
- 13 HN recommenders 9 months 2020–2026It is one of the most frequently recommended videos on HN for old-school game development hacks under tight hardware constraints.
- 7 HN recommenders 8 months 2018–2025Recommended as the best account of Blender's history and its user-focused approach as a free software success story.
- 8 HN recommenders 8 months 2010–2023N nebulajr · interviewHN repeatedly cites it as an elegant, eye-opening explanation of fire and photosynthesis and as an example of Feynman's infectious love of knowledge.
- 8 HN recommenders 8 months 2020–2023HN cites it whenever chip architecture, Moore's Law or CPU design comes up, as an unusually deep and accessible view from a top designer.
- 8 HN recommenders 8 months 2015–2024HN commenters love Cliff Stoll's earnest, playful personality and point to this as a delightful look at his unusual warehouse.
- 7 HN recommenders 7 months 2014–2021A Adnan Hodzic · interviewHN returns to it as Linus's own explanation of why shipping software on Linux is hard and why he dislikes GPLv3.
- 11 HN recommenders 8 months 2021–2024HN cites it as evidence of Musk's hands-on engineering depth and for his advice to question requirements and not optimize things that should not exist.
- 4 HN recommenders 6 months 2021–2025HN commenters point to it as an equation-free, charming way to hear Feynman explain physics to laypeople, including his famous refusal to explain magnetism with simple analogies.
- 6 HN recommenders 6 months 2015–2026W withDefiance · interviewHN recommends it as a famous, revealing clash between two thinkers, though some note they largely talk past each other.
- 6 HN recommenders 7 months 2016–2026HN uses it in debates about what OOP originally meant, since Kay's message-passing view lines up with Erlang's processes.
- 6 HN recommenders 6 months 2012–2024S Silicon Valley Historical Association · interviewQuoted in threads on motivation, agency and regret as an encouraging reminder that the world can be changed.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2015–2025HN recommends it as the best video introduction to the actor model, straight from its inventor, and revisited it after Hewitt's death.
- 4 HN recommenders 5 months 2014–2024HN commenters recommend it for hearing Graham himself and for its clear introduction to up-arrow notation and enormous numbers.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2021–2026HN returns to it as a model of intellectual honesty and good explanation, often linking it in discussions of why-questions and science communication.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2015–2023HN points to it as the best way to explain to ordinary people why privacy and mass surveillance matter.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2009–2025A Alex Felker · interviewHN returns to it constantly as the definitive critique of adversarial TV punditry, still seen as relevant to polarized media and online discourse.
- 4 HN recommenders 5 months 2021–2024M Machine Learning Street Talk · interviewRecommended to people who find it inspiring or perspective-changing on pursuing goals, open-ended search and AI beyond optimization.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2010–2025M Michael Lawrence · interviewHN uses it as the source of the 'bicycle for the mind' quote, which commenters cite in discussions of computing, programming and LLMs.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2012–2022HN recommends it in hair-loss threads as a funny, inspiring example of accepting baldness.
- 7 HN recommenders 6 months 2012–2022The go-to primary source in basic income threads for Friedman's negative income tax idea.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2017–2018D David Crossman · interviewHN commenters recommend it for its take on managing young employees and on how technology and approval-seeking affect behavior.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2010–2024M Micky Thompson · interviewHN commenters cite it whenever someone asks whether to quit a job or start a company, as a simple decision heuristic.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–20252 20th Century Time Machine · interviewHN commenters bring it up in threads on propaganda, influence operations and platforms like TikTok, saying it feels more relevant than ever.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2016–2026J Jacob Edward · interviewCommenters post it whenever a thread touches on soft sciences, replication problems, or what counts as real science.
- 3 HN recommenders 5 months 2017–2024Recommended as a long, rich first-hand account of Mach, NeXT and Apple history and of working for Steve Jobs.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2020–2026N Nicholas Marshall · interviewCited in propaganda and disinformation threads, though some commenters present it more as a prediction of current events than established analysis.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2019–2026F firewalker · interviewCited constantly as the classic answer to 'why' questions, on explanation, frames of reference and the limits of physics.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2011–2024HN points to it constantly in threads on inner monologue, visual versus verbal thinking and communication as the classic, entertaining demonstration that minds work differently.
- 6 HN recommenders 4 months 2020–2022HN points to it whenever Dwarf Fortress comes up, mainly for the alcohol-poisoned cats bug story and a developer's view of the game's depth.
- 6 HN recommenders 4 months 2015–2018HN recommends it as a fascinating look at the i3's revolutionary materials and production methods, and as a contrast point for Tesla.
- 5 HN recommenders 4 months 2017–2018Recommended in threads on fasting and nutrition as a deep dive from the lead researcher on time-restricted eating.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2014–2024D DartlangTV · interviewHN points to it as a rare side-by-side of the TypeScript and Dart designers, often to show how the two approaches to improving JavaScript differed.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2020–2024HN commenters point to it as the first-person story of how Myst grew out of HyperCard and fit on CD-ROM, especially in threads about HyperCard and retro game constraints.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2025–2026T The Ezra Klein Show · interviewHN commenters recommend it as a data-driven explanation of the 2024 election and voter trends.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2022HN commenters point to it as a researcher-led answer on omega-3 dosing, with the takeaway that most people take too little.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2017–2024I iwasjojo · interviewHN reaches for it constantly as evidence of Apple's long-standing privacy stance and as a yardstick for judging Apple, Facebook and others.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021I Invisible People · interviewHN commenters point to it in threads on homelessness and drug policy as a short, honest firsthand account from an articulate addict.
- 3 HN recommenders 4 months 2018–2026HN uses it as a canonical anecdote that designers badly predicted player behavior, and in threads about UO and sharding.
- 3 HN recommenders 4 months 2014–2016D Det Kgl. Bibliotek · interviewHN commenters call it an entertaining, complementary philosophical take on surveillance, with a funny story about jamming secret police.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2025–2026C Curt Jaimungal · interviewHN recommends it as a fascinating, mind-expanding interview on bioelectricity and non-reductionist biology.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2017–2019HN commenters recommend it as a deeper, more legitimate interview on fasting mechanics than typical diet content.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2021Praised as a remarkable piece of social engineering, spoofed caller ID plus pretexting, that produced direct evidence of the poisoning.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2015–2024J Jupiter Broadcasting · interviewHN links it for Cantrill's entertaining epoll versus kqueue rant and his stories, such as bricking a machine with rm -rf.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2019–2022HN cites it for an insider's look at defense work and at how the military thinks about information operations and cyberspace.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2014–2025HN commenters call it a fantastic introduction to Clojure and the thinking behind its design.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2012–2021S Silicon Valley Historical Association · interviewHN commenters return to it as a motivational reminder to not fear failure and to just ask for what you want.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2021HN recommends it as a fascinating conversation showing how the Ethereum founder thinks.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021–2023HN recommends it as an accessible way into Wolfram's physics ideas and his personality.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2023N NardwuarServiette · interviewHN holds it up as a model of interview preparation, where thorough research on the guest impresses the interviewee.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2012–2017HN recommends it in startup video lists for its stories and Sacca's candid background.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2022–2023T TechTechPotato · interviewHN recommends it as an interview dense with insight from Keller, worth hearing in full even for non-engineers.
- 2 HN recommenders 3 months 2022–2024T The Team House · interviewHN recommends it as an in-depth look at the mechanics of intelligence work from a veteran who ran a nonproliferation operation.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2017–2022HN shares it as an accessible window into Ted Nelson's vision of Xanadu and linking, which commenters say gains meaning with historical context.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2022–2023HN points to it as a substantive debate on intellectual property from two libertarian angles, with Kinsella as the abolitionist voice.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2014–2026N nebulajr · interviewHN returns to it constantly as a classic on the difficulty of explaining fundamentals and the limits of analogies.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2017–2024C CMU Robotics Institute · interviewHN recommends it for Kay's blunt critique of today's computing and standard CS curricula.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2025K Kevin Kelly · interviewPeople recommend it as a rare, unpolished look at Gates's mid-90s thinking, including predictions that aged well and badly.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021–2024U UW Video · interviewRecommended in threads on language purity and standardization for its clear take that languages are fluid and that national languages are constructed.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2013–2015Recommended to understand what the 37signals founders stand for and DHH's contrarian takes on tech business.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021–2026B Bo Manton · interviewQuoted whenever HN discusses process-heavy management and companies losing their product focus.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2022It is the go-to explainer whenever HN discusses brute-forcing melodies, copyright, or AI-generated content, since it features the project's creators.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2012–2023Recommended as a rare, inspiring history of the foundry business and the relationship between Chang and Huang.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2021S Sir James Goldsmith · interviewRecommended as a prescient interview on free trade and its social consequences, worth watching with hindsight.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2009–2012M Melchi · interviewHN recommends it as the best interview of Morris's series and as an insight into how the law and ordinary people's minds work.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2023–2026Recommended as a long, excellent first-hand interview with a legendary OS designer, though some note it is light on technical detail.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2015–2026HN points to it as a good, anecdote-filled introduction to the math of shuffling from the expert himself.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2022–2023S Sam Holmes Sailing · interviewHN recommends it as an accessible introduction to Yrvind and his minimalist boat ideas.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2018–20201 1000frolly PhD · interviewHN commenters point to it as a prominent physicist's skeptical counter-view, usually when someone asks for dissenting opinions.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021–2023Recommended as a stellar long-form interview with someone both very smart and wise, mined for CPU design insights.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2025K k1mk1mk1m · interviewRecommended and quoted in threads on media bias, press and power, and self-censorship.
- John Carmack: Doom, Quake, VR, AGI, Programming, Video Games, and Rockets | Lex Fridman Podcast #3093 HN recommenders 3 months 2022–2024HN mines it for Carmack's views on AGI, debuggers, tooling and the metaverse, and recommends it as worth the full length.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2012–2025A aaltouniversityace · interviewHN links it for individual clips: the Nvidia moment, his views on C and his blunt communication style. Some commenters say the whole talk is worth watching.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2022HN recommends it for Feynman's intuitive explanations and his joy in understanding how things work.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2012–2015G Getoutthebox1 · interviewShared as encouragement for beginners learning design or craft, on persisting through the taste-skill gap.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2021–2023HN uses it as a primary source on Tesla manufacturing and engineering decisions and Musk's grasp of product detail.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2014–2016HN people link it for Paul Graham's candid views on startups, Aaron Swartz, and investing selection.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2010–2014T ThisWeekinStartups · interviewRecommended as an entertaining look at DHH's views and what the 37signals founders stand for.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2021H Hoover Institution · interviewHN points to it as a primer on Thiel's thinking and as an example of Peter Robinson's skill as an interviewer.
- 3 HN recommenders 2 months 2022–2024F Fraser Cain · interviewHN points to it as the best accessible explanation of the solar gravitational lens mission plan.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2024D DiEM25 · interviewRecommended as a long, insightful conversation that gives a view of how Greece was pressured during the bailouts.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2025Offered as a more down-to-earth Musk interview with better questions than most, and cited for his stated concerns about concentrated AI power.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2013–2018HN commenters recommend it as one of the best single introductions to Thiel's worldview on technology and stagnation.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2019–2021HN people send others here to hear Hawkins explain his theory in his own words, including reference frames and the old versus new brain.
- 3 HN recommenders 2 months 2017–2023Recommended as the definitive retrospective on 3dfx, with first-hand stories about engineering hacks and design philosophy.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2019–2023R Rebel Wisdom · interviewRecommended to people interested in propaganda, misinformation and how to improve public discourse.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2024–2026C Curt Jaimungal · interviewHN commenters point to it as a credible, clearly explained alternative take on quantum foundations from a Harvard physicist.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2016–2026H @HOLLYWOOD · interviewHN shares it as a classic backup and operations cautionary tale.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2014–2023HN recommends it as an inspiring interview about passion, minimalism and deliberately imposing restrictions on creative work.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2020–2026D Designer's Digest · interviewCited constantly on HN whenever a large company declines, as the canonical explanation of product people being pushed out by sales and marketing.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2017–2020N Non-Dual Couch · interviewCited to explain the default mode network and how meditation may quiet it.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2014–2016HN calls it a favorite startup video because it is packed with candid stories about Facebook, Twitter and Google.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2019–2022HN recommends it as a superb, personal long-form look at Knuth's life and work habits.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2013–2024T The BXI · interviewRecommended as an enjoyable look at the hacker mindset and a thoughtful interview worth rewatching.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2015–2024A AudenRaybourn · interviewBrought up whenever Vice is discussed, as a memorable scene of Carr pressing its founders.
- 3 HN recommenders 2 months 2016–2022Recommended as a short, charming introduction to surreal numbers and to how Knuth wrote his book in under a week.
- 4 HN recommenders 2 months 2020–2024HN recommends it as a fascinating hacker war story, especially in threads on Naughty Dog's custom Lisp languages GOOL and GOAL.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2021–2023HN recommends it as a good, non-sensational presentation of Loeb's actual argument, usually linked in Oumuamua threads.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2013–2020K Khan Academy · interviewHN cites it as a source for specific Musk anecdotes and as an immensely interesting full conversation.
Showing the 100 best-scored of 294. Use search to find the rest.
Video list and Hacker News comment labels from HackerTube (prompted by @karpathy), released under ODC-By 1.0, built on the open-index/hacker-news archive. Hacker News data is provided by Y Combinator; comments remain the work of their authors. Video titles, channel names and thumbnails belong to their creators and are shown via YouTube. HackerTube Watch is an unofficial edition. Data export of 2026-10-31.