Brief Summary
Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux and Git, discusses his work style, the origins of Linux, the importance of open source, and his personal traits. He emphasizes his preference for working alone in a quiet environment, his initial reluctance towards open source, and the gradual growth of the Linux community. Torvalds also touches on the development of Git as a tool to manage the increasing number of contributors to Linux, his stubbornness, his focus on technology over people, and his engineering mindset, contrasting himself with visionaries.
- Linus Torvalds works alone in a quiet environment.
- Linux started as a personal project and gradually became open source.
- Git was created to manage the growing Linux kernel development.
- Torvalds identifies as an engineer focused on immediate problems rather than a visionary.
- Open source thrives on diverse contributions and doesn't require personal affinity.
The Linux World Headquarters
Chris Anderson introduces Linus Torvalds, highlighting the widespread use of his software, Linux, in millions of computers and Android devices. Anderson expresses surprise at the simplicity of Torvalds' office. Torvalds describes his preference for a quiet, distraction-free workspace, emphasizing the importance of silence and minimal external stimulation to his work. He mentions his preference for hearing his cat purring over computer fans.
The Origins of Linux
Torvalds explains that he still works alone, often in his bathrobe, and that Linux began as a personal project, not a collaborative one. He initially created it for his own needs and enjoyment of programming. The project evolved as he wanted to showcase it, eventually making the source code publicly available. Initially, there was no intention of using open-source methodology to improve it, but rather to get comments. He was introduced to open-source licenses by a friend and initially worried about commercial interests taking advantage of his work.
The Power of Community
Torvalds recounts how the project evolved from receiving code contributions to getting ideas and feedback from others. He emphasizes the significance of others taking an interest in his code and providing feedback, which was a revelation for him. Despite not considering himself a people person, he appreciates the input and involvement of others in his project. The growth of the community was gradual, and he didn't experience a single moment where it suddenly took off.
The Birth of Git
Torvalds discusses the challenges of managing a large number of contributors to the Linux kernel. He explains that maintaining the project became difficult as the number of people involved grew to thousands. This led to the creation of Git, his second major project, specifically designed to help him maintain Linux. He emphasizes that he codes for meaningful purposes and that every project he has undertaken has been something he needed.
The Prototypical Nerd
Anderson shows a picture of Torvalds as a child with a Rubik's Cube, prompting a discussion about his childhood. Torvalds admits to being a "prototypical nerd" who was more interested in computers, math, and physics than in socializing. He mentions that his sister would prepare him for family meetings because he wasn't good with people. According to his sister, his most exceptional quality was his persistence and refusal to give up on a task.
Stubbornness and Open Source
Torvalds acknowledges his stubbornness and how it has influenced his life, including his long tenure at the same company in Silicon Valley. He admits that his lack of people skills sometimes leads him to say things that hurt others, but he appreciates that open source allows different people to work together, even if they don't like each other. He notes that commercial entities have played a valuable role in open source, doing things he was not interested in doing.
The Concept of Taste
Torvalds introduces the concept of "taste" in code, illustrating it with an example of a singly-linked list implementation. He explains that good taste involves seeing problems differently and rewriting code to eliminate special cases. He emphasizes that good taste is about recognizing big patterns and instinctively knowing the right way to do things.
Engineer vs. Visionary
Torvalds states that he is not a visionary and doesn't have a five-year plan. He identifies himself as an engineer who focuses on fixing immediate problems rather than pursuing grand visions. He compares himself to Thomas Edison, emphasizing the importance of perspiration over inspiration. He acknowledges that companies have made billions of dollars from his software but is not bothered by it because he is doing well and open source has allowed Linux to become what it is.
The Future of Open Source
Torvalds discusses the limitations of applying open-source principles to areas beyond code, where clear-cut right and wrong answers are less common. He notes the resurgence of open source in science and cites Wikipedia as another example of its success. He concludes by stating that it is up to others to create new applications of open source.
