If the prior distribution, at which I am frankly guessing, has little or no effect on the result, then why bother; and if it has a large effect, then since I do not know what I am doing how would… — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
Often the great scientists, by turning the problem around a bit, changed a defect to an asset. For example, many scientists when they found they couldn't do a problem finally began to study why not. They then turned it around… — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
Science is composed of laws which were originally based on a small, carefully selected set of observations, often not very accurately measured originally; but… — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
Mathematics is an interesting intellectual sport but it should not be allowed to stand in the way of obtaining sensible information about physical processes. — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
Given two people with exactly the same ability, the one person who manages day in and day out to get in one more hour… — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
Mathematicians stand on each others' shoulders and computer scientists stand on each others' toes. — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
In mathematics we do not appeal to authority, but rather you are responsible for what you believe. — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
Beware of finding what you're looking for. A favorite aphorism he often used. — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
Mathematics is not merely an idle art form, it is an essential part of our society. — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
Perhaps the central problem we face in all of computer science is how we are to get to the situation where we build on… — Richard Hamming Copy Share Image
