Radia Perlman
Often called the 'Mother of the Internet' for her invention of the Spanning Tree Protocol.
Most quoted
"We build systems that are incredibly complex, and then we're surprised when they fail. It's like building a house of cards and being surprised when it falls down."
— from Conference talk
"The Internet is a testament to the fact that if you give people enough rope, they'll hang themselves... and then complain about the rope."
— from Talk/Presentation
"The Spanning Tree Protocol is a testament to the fact that you can't always get what you want, but you can always get what you need."
— from Various interviews and talks
All quotes by Radia Perlman (341)
The Internet is a global commons, and we all have a responsibility to protect it.
I'm not interested in building the next big thing, I'm interested in building things that work.
The Internet is a complex system, and understanding it requires a holistic approach.
The biggest challenge in computer science is dealing with human behavior.
The Internet is a testament to the power of collaboration.
My goal is to make technology disappear, so people can focus on what they want to do.
The Internet is a living, breathing entity, and it's constantly changing.
I believe in building systems that are robust by design, not by accident.
The Internet is a powerful tool for communication, but it's also a powerful tool for misinformation.
The biggest challenge in security is not finding the vulnerabilities, it's fixing them.
The Internet is a global experiment, and we're all participants.
My work is about making the impossible possible, one bit at a time.
The Internet is a reflection of our collective intelligence, and our collective folly.
I'm a pragmatist. I believe in building things that work, and that solve real problems.
The Internet is a force of nature, and we're just trying to harness it.
I'm a computer scientist. I don't know how to do anything useful.
I've always said that if you want to make a protocol robust, you have to assume that the network is run by monkeys.
I don't think I'm a good programmer. I'm a good debugger.
The Internet is like a giant cat video. It's mostly useless, but occasionally you find something amazing.
If you want to make a system secure, assume everyone is out to get you. Because they are.
Contemporaries of Radia Perlman
Other Computer Sciences born within 50 years of Radia Perlman (1951).