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I've been to couple of Donald Knuth's Christmas Tree Lectures. While he was signing my copy of 'TAOCP Volume 1', I asked him if he thought anyone in the world
by redshirtrob 12y ago
I've been to couple of Donald Knuth's Christmas Tree Lectures. While he was signing my copy of 'TAOCP Volume 1', I asked him if he thought anyone in the world had read all of TAOCP, himself excluded. I didn't clarify, but he seemed to assume (correctly) that by 'read' I meant 'read and comprehended.'
His reply was yes, but not many. He mentioned a guy in Germany who goes over his books again and again looking for errors. This guy is the leading recipient of Knuth's checks.
That was the question I'd wanted to ask Knuth for several years. It was a good question for a thirty second interaction and photo.
- laichzeit0 12y ago>His reply was yes, but not many. He mentioned a guy in Germany who goes over his books again and again looking for errors. I call these types of people "moles" because I imagine they basically never see daylight. Thank god for these people. If I ever have the time and will power to study TAOCP it will be a very relaxed mindset, knowing that with a high probability I can be confident that the book, exercises and solutions are error free.
- Tomte 12y agoThat's probably the guy he mentioned in another interview: the one who's cashing one cheque every year.