How can you own numbers? Numbers belong to the world.
Interpretation
Ownership of abstract concepts like numbers is meaningless because they exist independently of individuals.
In this quote, Donald Knuth challenges the idea of ownership over numbers, which are fundamental concepts that belong to the collective understanding of humanity. By asserting that numbers belong to the world, he emphasizes the notion that certain ideas and truths are universal and not confined to private possession or individual control.
In practice
In a discussion about the ethics of data ownership in technology, this quote can highlight the collective nature of knowledge.
Computer programming is an art, because it applies accumulated knowledge to the world, because it requires skill and ingenuity, and especially because it produces objects of beauty. A programmer who subconsciously views himself as an artist will enjoy what he does and will do it better.
The hardest thing is to go to sleep at night, when there are so many urgent things needing to be done. A huge gap exists between what we know is possible with today's machines and what we have so far been able to finish.
An algorithm must be seen to be believed.
The process of preparing programs for a digital computer is especially attractive, not only because it can economically and scientifically rewarding, but also because it can be an aesthetic experience much like composing poetry or music.
People who are more than casually interested in computers should have at least some idea of what the underlying hardware is like. Otherwise the programs they write will be pretty weird.
Everyday life is like programming, I guess. If you love something you can put beauty into it.
Life is not governed by will or intention. Life is a question of nerves, and fibres, and slowly built-up cells in which thought hides itself and passion has its dreams.
When a private talk over a bottle of wine is broadcast on the radio, what can it mean but that the world is turning into a concentration camp?
La memoria no guarda películas, guarda fotografías.
If you try to create a type, you may end with nothing. If you do a good job of creating an individual, you may succeed at creating a type.
How we think about the world and - perhaps even more importantly - how we narrate it have a massive significance, therefore, a thing that happens and is not told ceases to exist and perishes.
To every man his little cross. Till he dies. And is forgotten.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.