"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the universe trying to build bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning."

Rick Cook Science See all quotes by Rick Cook →

React to this quote

More by Rick Cook

“What was that?" Jerry asked, peering over the edge. "I think it was a ninja dwarf." Wiz said wonderingly...”

“The three most dangerous things in the world are a programmer with a soldering iron, a hardware type with a program patch and a user with an idea.”

“Judith looked at the demons and shook her head. "I'm glad we didn't build four processors. I'm not sure I could take a barbershop quartet!”

“It's always the details that get you in trouble.”

“We learned dwarves are not meant to fly." came a voice from the edge of the circle.”

“The question is, is that a bug or a feature?" Karl asked.”

Resonant Thoughts

"The regular rhythms of factory production and its clear divisions of work time and nonwork time tend to decline in the realm of immaterial labor. Think how at the high end of labor market companies li…"

— Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri

#time

"No one is admitted into the Ashram of the Christ until such time as he is beginning to think and live in terms of group relationships and group activities. Some well-meaning aspirants interpret the gr…"

— Alice Bailey

Literature1880–1949

#time

"The idea of freedom can never be disassociated from real Prussia. The real Prussian spirit means a synthesis between restraint and freedom, between voluntary subordination and conscientious leadership…"

— Henning von Tresckow

Military1901–1944

#leadership

"I will never forget the 5th anniversary of the Peace Corps where I sat with the very first group of volunteers. I asked each of them why they decided to get involved. They said it was the first time a…"

— Ted Kennedy

Politics1932–2009

#time