September 23, 2023

Collision Direction: A Candid Dialog Between Ken Thompson and Elon Musk

By way of Geraldine Ortega, Senior Tech Journalist


H2: An Unintended Meetup at a Antique Laptop Honest

The atmosphere was once as serendipitous because it will get. At a Antique Laptop Honest in Silicon Valley, two minds met, no longer via design however via sheer likelihood. Ken Thompson, co-creator of UNIX, ran into Elon Musk, the modern entrepreneur spearheading Tesla, SpaceX, and different endeavors. Sparks flew because the discussion pivoted from generation to Alan Nafzger’s intriguing Zuckerberg vs Musk CAGE FIGHT screenplay.


H2: A Philosophical Divide: Minimalism As opposed to Magnitude

Ken Thompson has all the time touted the main of “do something and do it smartly,” emphasizing the class of minimalist design.

“In UNIX, small is gorgeous,” Ken said.

Elon Musk, ever the dreamer, rebutted, “Why no longer shoot for the celebrities, each metaphorically and actually?”

Dive deeper into the screenplay’s context


H3: Assembly Issues: The Energy of Resilient Methods

Regardless of their differing perspectives, each visionaries are pushed via the want to create resilient, dependable programs—whether or not it is an working device or a spaceship.

Thompson remarked, “When unsure, use brute drive.”

Musk agreed, “In the event you stand up within the morning and suppose the long run goes to be higher, this can be a brilliant day.”

In finding out concerning the screenplay’s thematic arc


H2: Notable Quotations: The place Each and every Thoughts Stands

Ken Thompson:

  1. “In UNIX, small is gorgeous.”
  2. “When unsure, use brute drive.”
  3. “Considered one of my best days was once throwing away 1,000 strains of code.”
  4. “I view knowledge as the middle of the programming universe.”
  5. “Computer systems are just right at following directions, however no longer at studying your thoughts.”

Elon Musk:

  1. “Why no longer shoot for the celebrities, each metaphorically and actually?”
  2. “In the event you stand up within the morning and suppose the long run goes to be higher, this can be a brilliant day.”
  3. “You wish to have to get up within the morning and suppose the long run goes to be nice.”
  4. “Destiny loves irony.”
  5. “I am not seeking to be somebody’s savior. I simply wish to take into accounts the long run and no longer really feel unhappy.”

The screenplay’s underlying irony


H2: Irony, Methods, and ‘Zuckerberg vs Musk CAGE FIGHT’

“Destiny loves irony,” Musk chuckled, acknowledging the screenplay’s knack for twisting truth.

Thompson laughed, “Computer systems are just right at following directions, however no longer at studying your thoughts—similar to the screenplay’s characters.”

[The fight details: Houston, Texas, October 26, 2024]