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If you’re not failing 90% of the time, then you’re probably not working on sufficiently challenging problems.

Alan Kay

I fear – as far as I can tell – that most undergraduate degrees in computer science these days are basically Java vocational training.
ALAN KAY

Basically Computer Degree Far Fear Java Most Science Tell Training Undergraduate Vocational
There is the desire of a consumer society to have no learning curves.
ALAN KAY

Consumer Curve Desire Learn Society
I realized that my usual approach is usually critical. That is, a lot of the things that I do, that most people do, are because they hate something somebody else has done, or they hate that something hasn’t been done.
ALAN KAY

Approach Done Hate Most People Realize Someone Something Usually
But Basic happened to be on a GE timesharing system that was done by Dartmouth, and when GE decided to franchise that, it started spreading Basic around just because it was there, not because it had any intrinsic merits whatsoever.
ALAN KAY

Around Basic Decide Done Franchise Happen Spread Timeshare
It’s easier to invent the future than to predict it.
ALAN KAY

Easier Future Invent Predict
Perl is another example of filling a tiny, short-term need, and then being a real problem in the longer term.
ALAN KAY

Another Example Fill Perl Tiny
It’s all about long-term, sustaining relationships.
ALAN KAY

Long Relationship Sustained Term
Of course I would pipe up with my five-year-old voice.
ALAN KAY

Course Five Old Pipe Voice Year
I don’t know how many of you have ever met Dijkstra, but you probably know that arrogance in computer science is measured in nano-Dijkstras.
ALAN KAY

Arrogance Computer Ever Know Many Measure Met Nanao People Science
When the Mac first came out, Newsweek asked me what I [thought] of it. I said: Well, it’s the first personal computer worth criticizing.
ALAN KAY

Ask Came Computer Criticizing First Mac Newsweek Out Personal Thought
I’ve heard complaints from even mighty Stanford University with its illustrious faculty that basically the undergraduate computer science program is little more than Java certification.
ALAN KAY

Certification Complain Heard Illustrious Java Program Science Undergraduate University
Change is easy, except for the changed part.
ALAN KAY

Change Easy Except Part
An important technology first creates a problem and then solves it.
ALAN KAY

Create First Important Problem Solve Technology
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
ALAN KAY

Best Future Invent Predict Way
Every technology really needs to be shipped with a special manual – not how to use it but why, when, and for what.
ALAN KAY

Every Technology How Manual Need Ship Special Use
As in all the arts, a romance with the material must be well under way.
ALAN KAY

All Art Material Must Romance Way Well

If you’re not failing 90% of the time, then you’re probably not working on sufficiently challenging problems.

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If you’re not failing 90% of the time, then you’re probably not working on sufficiently challenging problems.

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