Are you ready to embark on a journey through the world of tech, startups, societal norms, and the evolution of programming languages? Want to learn how the pioneers of the tech industry made their mark? Ever wondered why nerds often become successful adults? Dive into this captivating, thought-provoking exploration of technology, society and the mind of an entrepreneur.

Hackers & Painters: Big Ideas from the Computer Age

In junior high, Paul Graham , the author, and his friend Rich mapped out the school lunch tables based on popularity. They sat at a D table, just above the lowest rung, where kids with mild Down's syndrome sat. 

Nerds like Paul Graham were smart but unpopular, and it puzzled him why intelligence didn't translate into popularity, especially since being smart didn't make you an outcast in elementary school or in the real world. 

In American high schools, popularity demanded constant attention, a skill nerds often lacked because they were more interested in pursuits like programming or designing rockets. Nerds served two masters: they wanted to be smart more than they wanted to be popular. The popular kids, trained to please, learned the art of popularity from their parents, just as nerds learned to be smart.

Paul remembers feeling like an explorer witnessing the bizarre rituals of his school's pep rallies. It was a world where kids were cruel to each other, akin to the society depicted in "Lord of the Flies." Teachers were like prison wardens, concerned primarily with maintaining order and feeding us, leaving us to create our own savage hierarchies. The real world is kinder to nerds because it's larger, and intelligence becomes an asset. Nerds eventually find their niche, forming societies where intellect is valued, like in university math and science departments.

The problem in schools is that there's no real purpose beyond keeping kids occupied, leading to a hierarchy based on popularity rather than skill or talent. This system breeds rebellion and discontent. Many nerds look back at their school years with disdain, realizing they were playing a different game, one closer to the real world. 

The takeaway is that the misery of teenage life isn't inevitable; it's a result of a flawed system. Understanding this can make the experience less painful for those still in it. Nerds aren't losers; they're just on a different path, one that often leads to success in adulthood.

Is High School Popularity Just a Lord of the Flies Survival Game?

Have you ever looked at an old photo and felt embarrassed by your fashion choices? This feeling isn't limited to just clothes, but extends to moral and societal norms, which are often invisible to us at the time. Just as fashion changes, so do these norms, and breaking them can lead to serious consequences—much more severe than a fashion faux pas.

Consider Galileo, who got in trouble for saying the Earth moves. At the time, this was a heresy, much like how certain opinions today can get you fired or ostracized. Throughout history, society has held onto ideas that seem ridiculous in retrospect. It's likely that future generations will find some of our current beliefs equally absurd. The challenge is identifying these "unsayable" truths today.

One way to uncover these taboo ideas is to look at what people get in trouble for saying. Statements that provoke strong reactions are often feared because they might be true. Galileo's assertion that the Earth orbits the sun was more problematic than an obviously false statement because it made people think.

In every era, certain labels are used to shut down debate—like "blasphemy" or "un-American." Today, terms like "inappropriate" or "divisive" serve a similar purpose. By examining these labels, we can identify ideas that might be true but are currently taboo.

Looking at past societies can also help. What was once acceptable but now seems unthinkable might offer clues about our current blind spots. Similarly, comparing different cultures' norms can reveal which of our taboos might be misguided.

Kids' minds are shaped by societal taboos, making them repositories of our unchallenged beliefs. Imagining a worldly character comparing thoughts with a well-behaved teenager can highlight these hidden taboos.

Understanding how moral fashions arise can also guide us. Unlike ordinary fashions, which often start accidentally, moral fashions are usually deliberate, often emerging from power struggles. The most powerful but nervous groups are likely to enforce taboos to protect their interests.

Why poke around these forbidden ideas? Curiosity, a desire to avoid mistaken beliefs, and the intellectual benefits of questioning assumptions are all good reasons. Great work often comes from exploring overlooked ideas. Training yourself to think unthinkable thoughts is like mental stretching, preparing you for innovative thinking.

But what do you do with these unthinkable thoughts? Sometimes, it's best not to say them outright, especially if it distracts from your real work. Instead, find trusted friends to discuss these ideas with, or use humor and metaphor to challenge prevailing norms subtly.

Ultimately, always be questioning. Pay attention to what can't be said and why. This conscious effort to see beyond societal norms can lead to clearer thinking and more profound insights.

Galileo's Legacy: Challenging Taboos and Unthinkable Truths

In the summer of 1995, Paul and his friend Robert Morris launched a startup called Viaweb, inspired by the buzz around Netscape’s IPO and the potential of online commerce. There were only about thirty online stores back then, all manually built, so they decided to create software to simplify the process. 

Initially, they planned a desktop application, but soon realized that making the software run on a web server, with the browser as the interface, was a superior approach. This decision paid off, and their software, now known as Yahoo Store, became the most popular online store builder with over 20,000 users.

At the time, the concept of software running on a server was largely misunderstood until Hotmail launched a year later. Today, this model is known as an Application Service Provider (ASP), and it represents the future of software development. This chapter explores the implications and experiences of being among the pioneers in this new world.

Much like the early days of car ownership, where only experts could manage them, desktop computers require users to understand complex systems. My mother, for example, needed to install new operating systems just to use email and manage accounts, which is far from ideal. Web-based applications, which run on servers and use web pages as interfaces, offer a simpler, more convenient solution. Users can access software from any device with a browser, eliminating the need for installations and reducing compatibility issues.

Web-based software is also more reliable and collaborative. Users can edit documents simultaneously, and data is safer since it’s stored on well-maintained servers. Bugs can be fixed instantly, and updates are seamless. At Viaweb, they often released new features several times a day, maintaining high software quality and customer satisfaction.

Support was a key aspect of Paul's strategy. They provided free support to hear customers’ problems firsthand, allowing them to reproduce and fix bugs quickly. This close interaction with users helped them improve the software continuously.

Web-based applications also offer financial benefits. They are cheaper to develop and maintain, providing a recurring revenue stream from subscription fees. This model eliminates piracy and ensures that users always have the latest version of the software.

Startups writing web-based software can operate with fewer resources and personnel than traditional desktop software companies. Viaweb, for instance, was created by just three people. This efficiency is partly due to the lack of need for releases and ports, allowing developers to focus solely on improving the software.

The shift to web-based applications also means that developers need to be proficient system administrators. They must monitor servers and ensure the software runs smoothly, a responsibility that merges traditional programming and IT roles.

Overall, the future of software lies in web-based applications. They are more accessible, reliable, and collaborative, benefiting both users and developers.

Did Netscape's IPO Spark the Birth of Yahoo Store and Revolutionize Online Commerce?

If you're aiming to get rich, starting or joining a startup is likely your best bet. Startups, especially those in technology, have been a reliable path to wealth for centuries. Think of them as modern versions of the venture-backed trading voyages of the Middle Ages. They tackle hard technical problems, often compressing a lifetime's worth of work into a few intense years. 

Consider this: a good hacker might earn $80,000 annually at a big company. But, in a startup, freed from corporate inefficiencies and middle management, that same person could potentially generate millions in value annually. The intense work and risk of startups are balanced by the potential for significant rewards. 

However, aiming to be a billionaire like Bill Gates is rare and requires not just skill and hard work but also a lot of luck. Gates' success was partly due to a monumental business blunder by IBM, which gave Microsoft control over the PC standard.

Getting rich through startups isn't just about making money; it's about creating wealth – things people want, like food, houses, or gadgets. Unlike money, which is just a medium of exchange, wealth is tangible and fulfilling. The idea that wealth is a fixed pie is a fallacy; wealth can be created and expanded. For example, restoring an old car creates new wealth without making anyone poorer.

Craftsmen and programmers understand this well. They create valuable products, and in startups, a great programmer can generate immense wealth quickly. This is why many successful programmers lean libertarian—they see firsthand how much wealth can vary based on individual effort.

Joining a startup is like joining a small, elite sports team. The performance of each member is more visible and impactful compared to a large corporation, where individual contributions are averaged out. Startups thrive because they allow for direct measurement and leverage of work, providing a clearer path to greater rewards.

Technology, which amplifies human effort across many users, is the lever startups use to create wealth. Small companies are better at developing new technologies quickly because they aren't bogged down by bureaucratic inertia. They solve hard problems that large companies can't tackle efficiently.

However, startups are high-risk. They often face all-or-nothing outcomes. Most fail, but those that succeed can achieve extraordinary success. Getting acquired by a larger company is often a good exit strategy, allowing founders to diversify their newfound wealth.

To succeed, focus on creating something people want. Users are the ultimate validation of your product's value. Acquirers and investors look at user numbers as a measure of success. Treat your startup as an optimization problem focused on user growth.

Remember, creating wealth isn't just about personal gain; it can also drive societal progress. Historically, societies that allowed individuals to keep the wealth they created saw rapid advancements in technology and power. This principle remains true today: supporting entrepreneurs and innovators leads to broader economic and technological growth. So, if you want to get rich and make a significant impact, consider the startup path—it's challenging but potentially very rewarding.

Unlocking Wealth: The Startup Path to Success à la Bill Gates

When it comes to specialized skills, there's a clear gap between the best and the rest. No one bats an eye at Leonardo da Vinci towering over his contemporaries or a top chess player beating club players effortlessly. Yet, when it comes to making money, people often see it differently, raising concerns about inequality. This chapter dives into why that is and argues that income variation, much like in other skills, is natural and even beneficial in a modern democracy.

First off, many of us grew up with a skewed view of wealth, thinking of it as money doled out by parents, rather than something created. This "Daddy Model" of wealth doesn't hold up in the real world, where wealth isn't just handed out but generated by creating value. Those who excel at this—like top actors or successful CEOs—often make significantly more money because they're exceptionally good at what they do.

Historically, wealth was often accumulated through questionable means like theft or corruption. But with the rise of the middle class and the Industrial Revolution, creating wealth through innovation became the new norm. This shift allowed societies to become richer overall. 

Technology has further widened the gap between the productive and unproductive, making those who master it incredibly valuable. However, while income gaps have grown, technology has also made many aspects of life more accessible to everyone, reducing other forms of inequality.

Finally, the chapter suggests that in a modern society, increasing income variation could actually be a sign of health. If we see more variation, it means people are being rewarded for their productivity and innovation, leading to overall prosperity. If we suppress these variations, society as a whole could end up poorer.

In short, while income inequality often sparks debate, it's akin to differences in other specialized skills. And in a thriving, innovative society, such variations might not just be inevitable—they could be beneficial.

Is Income Inequality the Leonardo da Vinci of Modern Economics?

Copernicus rejected the Ptolemaic system partly due to aesthetic objections, and this notion of beauty influencing functionality is echoed across various fields, including design, mathematics, and engineering. 

Mathematician G.H. Hardy claimed that ugly mathematics has no place in the world, aligning with the idea that good design is inherently beautiful. Ben Rich from Skunk Works also believed that a beautiful airplane would fly beautifully, emphasizing that aesthetic appeal often correlates with superior performance.

A friend from MIT expressed difficulty in assessing potential students' "taste," highlighting the importance of not just technical skill but the ability to design elegant and beautiful things. This notion of "taste" is crucial, even though it's often dismissed as subjective. Good design principles, such as simplicity, timelessness, solving the right problem, being suggestive, slightly funny, hard to achieve, looking easy, using symmetry, resembling nature, being open to redesign, and sometimes being daring or strange, are universal across various disciplines.

For instance, good design is simple, as seen in math where shorter proofs are better, or in programming where simpler code is more elegant. Timeless design avoids the whims of fashion, aiming instead for enduring appeal, much like how great art or architecture remains revered across centuries. Solving the right problem is crucial, as shown in the design of user interfaces like stove dials, which should be intuitive and user-friendly.

Moreover, good design often involves redesign, as seen in Leonardo da Vinci’s multiple attempts to perfect a line or the evolution of the Porsche 911. It also embraces copying when it leads to better solutions, as great designers prioritize correctness over originality. Strangeness can be a hallmark of exceptional design, as seen in Euler’s Formula or the SR-71, which are not just beautiful but also uniquely so.

Communities of talented individuals, like those in 15th-century Florence or modern tech hubs, foster exceptional design through collaboration and competition. Finally, great design often involves daring choices, challenging conventional wisdom, and striving for innovation, as seen in the works of pioneers like Copernicus and Einstein.

In essence, good taste and design are about understanding and applying these principles across various fields to create works that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and enduring.

Copernicus to Skunk Works: The Timeless Power of Beautiful Design

Predicting the future of programming languages a hundred years from now is a fascinating exercise. Imagine a world where everyone drives flying cars, buildings rise hundreds of stories, and women are martial art experts. What kind of language will control the software for these flying cars?

Programming languages evolve like species, branching out into evolutionary trees. Some languages, like Cobol, become evolutionary dead-ends. Java might face a similar fate. This evolution isn't just about the languages we use in the distant future but about choosing the right branches to bet on now.

Languages evolve through deliberate design choices rather than random mutations. As computers become faster, languages will need to balance efficiency and convenience. Historical trends show that as technology improves, wastefulness increases. For example, faster hardware will allow for inefficient languages that simplify development.

The core of a language is crucial for its longevity. Like choosing a house for its location, a language should have a small, clean set of fundamental operators. This minimalism fosters flexibility and simplicity, becoming more critical as computers get faster.

Parallel computation may eventually become a norm, but it will likely be an optimization choice rather than a default. Most extra computational power will be wasted, but this can lead to simpler designs and more flexible programs.

Open-source languages like Perl, Python, and Ruby have shown that language design is shifting from academic research to hacker-driven development. This trend will likely continue, with languages designed by those who use them.

Considering these ideas, we might already be able to design a "hundred-year language." Such a language would prioritize ease of programming, even if it means starting with inefficient versions. The goal would be to create a language that's easy to program in, emphasizing good waste—trading efficiency for simplicity.

In short, the evolution of programming languages will be shaped by the need for simplicity and flexibility, driven by faster hardware and the practical needs of programmers. As we look to the future, staying close to the main branches of the evolutionary tree and embracing good waste will guide us to languages that are both powerful and convenient.

Will Java Face the Same Fate as Cobol in the Evolution of Future Programming Languages?

In the tech world, there's a constant battle between those who understand technology deeply and those who merely manage it. We all know the "pointy-haired boss" who knows nothing about tech but has strong opinions on it. This character often insists on using popular programming languages like Java, not because of its technical merits, but because it seems like a safe choice. 

The problem is, not all programming languages are created equal. For example, in the early '90s, the same type of boss would've insisted on using C++. Java was created to address some issues with C++, proving that languages aren't equivalent. This raises questions about when to use which language. 

James Gosling, the creator of Java, designed it to fix certain problems with C++. This proves that some languages are better suited for specific tasks. However, pointy-haired bosses prefer to think all languages are the same to avoid the complexity of making informed decisions. This mindset simplifies their lives but can lead to suboptimal choices.

One example of an exceptional language is Lisp, created by John McCarthy in 1958. Unlike other languages, Lisp was born from mathematical theory, not technology. This makes it timeless, much like the Quick sort algorithm, which remains the fastest general-purpose sorting method since its discovery in 1960.

Lisp introduced several groundbreaking concepts, such as conditionals, a function type, recursion, dynamic typing, garbage collection, and programs composed of expressions. These ideas were far ahead of their time, and mainstream languages have been slowly catching up.

Using powerful languages like Lisp can be a game-changer, especially for complex, competitive projects. For instance, ITA Software's airline fare search program, written in Common Lisp, outperformed its competitors by a significant margin. They utilized Lisp's advanced features, such as macros, to achieve this.

Choosing advanced but less common languages does come with challenges, like compatibility issues, fewer libraries, and difficulty in hiring programmers. However, these can be managed, especially in server-based applications where you control the entire system.

The pointy-haired boss's preference for "industry best practices" often leads to mediocre results. In software development, pushing the boundaries with powerful languages can provide a significant competitive edge. Companies like ITA Software have demonstrated that leveraging advanced languages can lead to remarkable success, even if it means deviating from the norm.

From Java to Lisp: How James Gosling and John McCarthy Shaped Modern Programming

A friend of Paul once told a renowned operating systems expert that he wanted to create an exceptional programming language. The expert dismissed the idea, saying that language popularity isn't based on merit and that even great languages often go unused. This raises the question: what makes a programming language popular? It's hackers. Programming languages must cater to hackers' needs to be considered good, as they are the ones who write the best software and influence others.

Most programmers don't choose languages solely on their merits, often being told what to use. However, expert hackers' preferences significantly shape a language's popularity. If a language meets the needs of hackers—offering succinctness, hackability, and ease of writing throwaway programs—it stands a better chance of gaining traction.

A language must also be the scripting language of a popular system to become widespread. It needs a free implementation, a well-written book, and strong libraries. Libraries, which allow succinct coding by providing pre-written functions, are crucial, especially for throwaway programs that often evolve into significant projects.

Despite the focus on performance, the design should prioritize profiling tools over mere compiler speed. Profiling helps identify bottlenecks, enabling targeted optimizations. An active profiler could visually or audibly alert programmers to inefficiencies.

The longevity of a language also matters. Hackers are cautious, often waiting years before adopting a new language to ensure it won't disappear. This period allows the language to evolve based on feedback from early adopters, leading to better design.

Great design requires continuous improvement. Organic growth, starting small and refining through user feedback, often yields the best results. This approach contrasts with the "big bang" method, where a heavily marketed product is launched in hopes of immediate success but often falters.

In essence, a successful programming language is clean, concise, interactive, and evolves through user feedback. It offers powerful libraries, easy access to system functions, and encourages user-driven enhancements. By focusing on meeting hackers' needs, a language can gain and maintain popularity, ultimately becoming a vital tool for programmers.

What Makes Hackers Fall in Love with a Programming Language?

In reflecting on his school years, Paul realized that popularity and intelligence don't always go hand in hand. Popularity in high school often requires social skills and constant attention, which many smart kids prioritize less. 

Over time, nerds, often marginalized in school, find their place in the larger, kinder real world where intellect is valued. The flawed school system focuses on keeping kids occupied rather than nurturing their talents, leading to unnecessary misery and rebellion. Understanding this systemic issue can help make the teenage experience less painful.

Starting a startup, especially in tech, seems like a promising path to wealth. Unlike large corporations, startups allow for direct measurement of individual contributions, leading to potentially greater rewards. Technology amplifies human effort, making small companies more efficient at developing new technologies. While startups are high-risk, they offer opportunities for significant success by creating something people want.

Income variation, much like differences in other specialized skills, is natural and even beneficial in a modern democracy. Those who excel at creating value, like top actors or successful CEOs, often make significantly more money. This variation can lead to overall societal prosperity by rewarding productivity and innovation.

Good design principles, like simplicity and timelessness, are universal across various disciplines. Good design is not just about aesthetics but also about functionality. Communities of talented individuals foster exceptional design through collaboration and competition. Understanding and applying these principles can lead to creating works that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Predicting the future of programming languages involves recognizing the need for simplicity and flexibility. As technology improves, languages will need to balance efficiency and convenience. Open-source languages driven by users' needs will likely continue to shape the future. Embracing good waste—trading efficiency for simplicity—will guide the evolution of programming languages.

In the tech world, there's a constant battle between those who understand technology deeply and those who merely manage it. Using powerful, less common languages like Lisp can provide a significant competitive edge, despite challenges like compatibility issues and hiring difficulties. Leveraging advanced languages can lead to remarkable success by pushing the boundaries of software development.

Programming languages must cater to hackers' needs to gain traction. A successful language is clean, concise, interactive, and evolves through user feedback. It offers powerful libraries, easy access to system functions, and encourages user-driven enhancements. By focusing on meeting hackers' needs, a language can gain and maintain popularity, ultimately becoming a vital tool for programmers.

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