“The manuals we got from IBM would show examples of programs and I knew...” — Donald Knuth Quote

The manuals we got from IBM would show examples of programs and I knew I could do a heck of a lot better than that. So I thought I might have some talent.

My general working style is to write everything first with pencil and paper, sitting beside a big wastebasket. Then I use Emacs to enter the text into my machine.

I decry the current tendency to seek patents on algorithms. There are better ways to earn a living than to prevent other people from making use of one's contributions to computer science.

I currently use Ubuntu Linux, on a standalone laptop - it has no Internet connection. I occasionally carry flash memory drives between this machine and the Macs that I use for network surfing and graphics; but I trust my family jewels only to Linux.

What I love about Stevie Wonder is the way he makes people feel. He's one of the best examples of how music can heal.

There are plenty of examples of very wealthy people who have run for office and failed, certainly in Illinois.

I love kids, and I think I would be a great dad. I had great parents, and my mother and father are my best friends, so I'd have good examples to lead from.

Being a young artist, you know that you're not the first and there are a lot of people who have been there before you to basically look up to - people who have been setting examples forever.

Major religions are examples of 'noble lies' aimed at uplifting human stature.