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the unlikely tale of don knuth and his email abstinence

"gmail login account,norton login my account" might be common search terms for many, but for legendary computer scientist don knuth, these phrases hold no relevance. in a world where email has become an indispensable part of our daily lives, don knuth stands out as a rare exception. since 1990, he has chosen to live without email, a decision that has raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity among tech enthusiasts and academics alike. let's delve into the reasons behind his email abstinence and explore the lessons we can learn from his unique perspective.

the email-free life of don knuth

in a fascinating interview with brady haran, don knuth revealed that he stopped using email in 1990, after 15 years of being an early adopter. he explained that his role in life is not to be on top of things but rather to be on the bottom of things, allowing him to focus on tasks that require long attention spans and minimal interruptions. email, with its constant stream of messages and demands, was an unwelcome distraction that hindered his ability to concentrate on his work.

the cost of email

don knuth's decision to abstain from email was not taken lightly. he realized that replying to random questions from people all over the world was taking a toll on his time and energy. as an author, he was meticulous about crafting well-structured and error-free sentences, which added to the time-consuming nature of email correspondence. he found himself spending hours processing emails, leaving little time for the tasks he had planned for the day.

the impact on others

don knuth's email abstinence has had an interesting effect on those around him. while he imposes on others by sending questions through his secretary, he doesn't allow others to impose on him. this has led to some people trying to reach him through his wife, which he tries to discourage as soon as possible.

lessons from don knuth

don knuth's decision to live without email is a powerful reminder of the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing our time. in a world where we are constantly connected, it's easy to get caught up in the endless stream of emails and notifications. by taking a step back and evaluating our email habits, we can learn to manage our time more effectively and focus on the tasks that truly matter.

conclusion

while "gmail login account" and "norton login my account" may be essential for many, don knuth's email abstinence offers a unique perspective on the role of technology in our lives. by setting boundaries and prioritizing our time, we can learn to live more intentionally and focus on the tasks that truly matter. so, the next time you find yourself drowning in a sea of emails, remember the wise words of don knuth and consider the benefits of a distraction-free life.

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computer science at the university of nottingham

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brady haran

interview by brady haran

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