1 HN user recommended this interview1 month2015–2025score 1
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
HN quotes it as a source for Knuth's caution against believing something is good just because it is trendy.
A five-minute clip from Donald Knuth's Web of Stories interviews in which he gives advice to young people, including being wary when too many people adopt an idea.
“Donald Knuth interviews are so interesting” (HN, 2022)
Donald Knuth interviews are so interesting, but would like to particularly highlight this little piece of advice, out of this great playlist: "Donald Knuth - My advice to young people": [this video] Complete Playlist - "Donald Knuth (Computer scientist)" [97 videos]: [link] Also the "Oral History of Donald Knuth" from the Computer History Museum is great. "Oral History of Donald Knuth Part 1": [link] "Oral History of Donald Knuth Part 2": [link] Plus.. "Donald Knuth Interview 2006": [link] "An Interview with Donald Knuth": [link] "Interview with Donald Knuth": [link] This somewhat "colourful" page also tracks a few: [link] PS: The story that he told Steve Jobs he was "Full of shit" is not true. "Donald Knuth never told Steve Jobs that he was full of shit" [link]
Little piece of advice from Knuth's interview playlist.
An extended version of the quote would be "Don't just believe that because something is trendy, that it's good. I would go the other extreme where if I find too many people adopting a certain idea I'd probably think it's wrong. Or if my work had become too popular I probably would think I have to change." I took it from this video: [this video]
Knuth says to be wary when too many people adopt an idea.
Excellent. It's just like what Donald Knuth said, "Don't believe something is good just because it's trendy. I'd probably go the other extreme way. If I find too many people adopting a certain idea, I'd probably think its wrong." Source : [this video] I've always find those questions that are generally regarded as stupid party amusing. Because I think those questions showing the difference in out thought process, and instead of stigmatizing it there are valuable lessons to be learned here.
Knuth's advice not to believe something is good because it is trendy.
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