My Review
Paul Graham's collection of essays offers deep insights into programming, startups, and creativity. Writing with the clarity that comes from building real things, Graham draws fascinating parallels between hackers and painters—both are makers who create through iterative refinement.
The essays range from technical discussions about programming languages to philosophical explorations of wealth creation and taste. Even essays written in the early 2000s remain remarkably relevant today.
Key Takeaways
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Hackers are makers: Programming is more like painting than mathematics. Both involve creating something from nothing through iterative refinement.
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Good design is simple: The best solutions are often deceptively simple. Complexity is a sign you haven't found the real problem yet.
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Wealth vs. money: Wealth is what you want—stuff, services, experiences. Money is just a way to move wealth around. Building a startup means creating wealth.
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The power of lisp: Some programming languages are more powerful than others. Working in a more powerful language gives you a competitive advantage.
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Do what you love: Life is short. Don't waste it on work you don't find intellectually stimulating.
Favorite Quotes
"In hacking, like painting, work comes in cycles. Sometimes you get excited about some new project and you want to work sixteen hours a day on it. Other times nothing seems interesting."
"The way to get startup ideas is not to try to think of startup ideas. It's to look for problems, preferably problems you have yourself."
"It's not enough to make something that people want. You have to make it easy to use."
Standout Essays
- "Why Nerds Are Unpopular": A brilliant analysis of high school social dynamics
- "Beating the Averages": How choosing Lisp gave Viaweb a competitive edge
- "The Hundred-Year Language": Speculation on what programming will look like in the future
- "How to Make Wealth": Clear thinking about startups and value creation
Who Should Read This
Essential for:
- Programmers and software engineers
- Startup founders and aspiring entrepreneurs
- Anyone interested in the tech industry's intellectual foundations
- People who enjoy clear, contrarian thinking
Final Thoughts
While some technical details are dated, the fundamental insights remain true. Graham writes with the authority of someone who's both built successful software and helped hundreds of startups through Y Combinator.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars - Thought-provoking essays that reward rereading. Some parts feel dated, but the core ideas are timeless.