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If there is one thing Dijkstra was not, it is humble. That he used false humility as a textual device is obvious. Almost everything else about the way he com
by walnutclosefarm 4y ago
If there is one thing Dijkstra was not, it is humble. That he used false humility as a textual device is obvious. Almost everything else about the way he communicated trumpets extraordinary self-confidence, and a very high opinion of his own relevance.
- raphlinus 4y agoHow dare you say that!. Humility was an integral part of his brand. So much so that he titled his Turing Award lecture "The Humble Programmer"[0]. [0]: https://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/EWD/transcriptions/EWD03xx/EWD340.html https://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/EWD/transcriptions/EWD03xx/E...
- AnimalMuppet 4y agoThere's a reason why arrogance is measured in milli-dijkstras. It's not because he was humble.
- elektrontamer 4y agoI've read of instances of him being blunt and didn't mind it. I'm sure if I was as successful as him I'd be a bit of a prick too. The fact that he can show such humility from time to time is admirable to me. He might also just be holding himself and everyone else to an extremely high standard. I've met people like that who were just as harsh to themselves as they were to others. I like to give people the benefit of doubt.
- walnutclosefarm 4y agoI take no issue with Dijkstra's use of humble-sounding phrases and thoughts. It can be quite effective in making oneself approachable and believable (both of which a different than being humble). I just don't think it means he was actually a humble person.