--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't ever make the mistake [of thinking]…" description: "\"Don't ever make the mistake [of thinking] that you can design something better than what you get from ruthless massively parallel trial-and-error with ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/linus-torvalds-1512_credit_don-t-ever-make-the-mistake-of-thinking_1256350.jpg" --- # Don't ever make the mistake \[of thinking\] that you can… ![“Don't ever make the mistake [of thinking] that you can design something better than what you get from ruthless massively parallel trial-and-error with a feedback cycle. That's giving your intelligence much too much credit.” quote by Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/linus-torvalds-1512_credit_don-t-ever-make-the-mistake-of-thinking_1256350.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/linus-torvalds-1512_credit_don-t-ever-make-the-mistake-of-thinking_1256350.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5e/linus-torvalds-1512_credit_don-t-ever-make-the-mistake-of-thinking_1256350.jpg) > “Don't ever make the mistake \[of thinking\] that you can design something better than what you get from ruthless massively parallel trial-and-error with a feedback cycle. That's giving your intelligence much too much credit.” [Linus Torvalds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-torvalds/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warning that overestimating human design ability ignores the power of massive parallel trial and error. **In simple terms:** Don't overvalue human design versus massive trial and error. Key Takeaway Respect iterative, data‑driven processes. Themes technology humility design Mood cautious practical Type technical philosophical When to use this quote - software development - research - product innovation - strategic planning Key Concepts feedback loops evolutionary algorithms Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance intuition with systematic testing? - When is human intuition essential? A Different Perspective May undervalue creative insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Credit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credit/) [Cycles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cycles/) [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Design Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design-better-964885/) [Error Feedback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/error-feedback-3978421/) [Errors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/errors/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Feedback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feedback/) [Feedback Cycle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feedback-cycle-3978422/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Mistake Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake-thinking-348578/) [Parallels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parallels/) [Ruthless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruthless/) [Something better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/something-better/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-design-810238/) [Too much](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-much/) [Trial and error](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trial-and-error/) [Trials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trials/) ## Related quotes > [I'm constantly thinking about design, shapes, patterns and colors, so I just want to be more of a blank canvas. 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In life design, more is better, because more ideas equal access to better ideas, and better ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-burnett/quantity-has-a-quality-all-its-own-in-life-design-more-is-better/) [Bill Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-burnett/) > [“Don't design a better vase. Design a better way for people to enjoy flowers in their home”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rettig/don-t-design-a-better-vase-design-a-better-way-for-people-to-enjoy/) [Mark Rettig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rettig/) > [I can't do the terrible mistake of thinking audiences are dumb and will accept anything I do. 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