Talks to Watch

Donald Knuth: Algorithms, Complexity, and The Art of Computer Programming | Lex Fridman Podcast #62

515K views · Dec 30, 2019 · 1:45:56 · 2 HN recommenders · 4 mentions · discussed 2020–2023

Lex Fridman interviews Donald Knuth about algorithms, complexity, The Art of Computer Programming, and his work habits. The conversation covers his approach to verifying algorithms and how he organises his time.

Why Hacker News points people here: Cited as an excellent look at Knuth's thinking and working style, and as a likely source for quotes about his habits.

“It's fascinating to learn how much energy he still spends at verifying and investigating each aspect of newly published algorithms.”HN comment, 2020

What Hacker News said 4

RecommendsjhnclsAug 2020

“It's fascinating to learn how much energy he still spends at verifying and investigating each aspect of newly published algorithms.”

Knuth on verifying new algorithms and avoiding email

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Lex Fridman had an interesting interview with Don Knuth close to his 82nd birthday[0]. It's fascinating to learn how much energy he still spends at verifying and investigating each aspect of newly published algorithms. E-mail would probably cut away too much time from what he considers more important. [0]: this video

RecommendslanstinMay 2023

“I don't really like Lex Fridman, but this interview is excellent.”

Knuth on his work arrangement for finishing TAOCP

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IIRC he gets into his work arrangement to try to finish TAOCP: this video I don't really like Lex Fridman, but this interview is excellent.

in “Don Knuth Plays with ChatGPT” · view on HN
Cites itkilljoywashereJan 2020

“He mentions (and shows) a favorite paper tablet he uses with very finely ruled lines.”

Knuth shows his favorite finely ruled paper tablet

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He mentions (and shows) a favorite paper tablet he uses with very finely ruled lines. He found it in Canada about 40 years ago while visiting his sister. Anybody know who makes his tablets? discussion here: this video

in “Donald Knuth: Algorithms, Complexity, Life, and the Art of Programming [video]” · view on HN
Cites itmadispMay 2022

“probably the Lex Fridman podcast interviews”

Lex Fridman interviews with Knuth as likely source of article quote

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probably the Lex Fridman podcast interviews: this video link the second one is definitely where the last paragraph in the article is from. Weird that the interview is dated 2021-09-09 and the post is 2020-04-30?

in “Donald Knuth on work habits, problem solving, and happiness (2020)” · view on HN