But what is it good for? -- Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, commenting on the microchip, 1968
Let me try to get this straight: Lisp is a language for describing algorithms. This was JohnMcCarthy's original purpose, anyway: to build something more convenient than a Turing machine. Lisp is not about file, socket or GUI programming - Lisp is about expressive power. (For example, you can design multiple object systems for Lisp, in Lisp. Or implement the now-fashionable AOP. Or do arbitrary transformations on parsed source code.) If you don't value expressive power, Lisp ain't for you. I, personally, would prefer Lisp to not become mainstream: this would necessarily involve a dumbing down. -- VladimirSlepnev
The three chief virtues of a programmer are: Laziness, Impatience and Hubris. -- Larry Wall (Programming Perl)
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. -- Benjamin Franklin
To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be. -- author unknown (quoted in `Robust Systems', Gerald Jay Suseman)
An expert is, according to my working definition "someone who doesn't need to look up answers to easy questions". -- Eric Lippert.
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. –John Lennon
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. –Chinese Proverb
The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
In my experience, there is only one motivation, and that is desire. No reasons or principle contain it or stand against it. ~Jane Smiley