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)
Consciousness is the universe experiencing itself.
The greatest spiritual meaning comes from connecting with others and contributing to something larger than yourself.
Don't be afraid to break things. That's how you learn.
The most profound truths are often the simplest ones.
There's a certain beauty in a system that just works, without any fuss or fanfare.
The human desire for control often leads to more complexity, not less.
Every problem has a simple solution. It's finding it that's hard.
The true measure of intelligence is not how much you know, but how well you can adapt.
To truly understand something, try to explain it to a child.
The most important thing in life is to keep learning, keep growing, and keep questioning.
Our understanding of consciousness is still in its infancy. There's so much more to discover.
The beauty of a network is its ability to connect disparate parts into a cohesive whole.
The human tendency to overcomplicate things is a constant challenge in engineering.
Meaning is not inherent in the universe; it's something we project onto it.
The only constant in life is change. Embrace it.
True innovation often comes from questioning fundamental assumptions.
There's a spiritual satisfaction in creating something that is both functional and elegant.
The fear of failure often prevents us from attempting great things.
The universe is full of mysteries, and that's what makes it so beautiful.
Our perception of reality is shaped by our consciousness.
Contemporaries of Radia Perlman
Other Computer Sciences born within 50 years of Radia Perlman (1951).