The mind behind Linux | Linus Torvalds | TED

Linus Torvalds transformed technology twice — first with the Linux kernel, which helps power the Internet, and again with Git, the source code management system used by developers worldwide. In a rare interview with TED Curator Chris Anderson, Torvalds discusses with remarkable openness the personality traits that prompted his unique philosophy of work, engineering and life. "I am not a visionary, I'm an engineer," Torvalds says. "I'm perfectly happy with all the people who are walking around and just staring at the clouds ... but I'm looking at the ground, and I want to fix the pothole that's right in front of me before I fall in."

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[harishsinghbhoj]

Everyone praises Steve jobs but this man is a true legend.

[prajwal.naladeega]

This ted talk was unlike any other
1. Not a man with vision
2. Not a man with big dreams
3. Not a man who is successful by selling products.
A true "Dark Knight"

[griffinnb]

“Wow that’s so crazy that your software is in everything”

Linus: “I wanna hear my cat purr on my lap”

[kunalkavthekar]

"Linus Torvalds, thank you for the internet" is such an amazing compliment that went completely unnoticed 😄

[nathangek]

He is one of those people who has actually influenced every single persons lives without the majority knowing it.

[Turplemaple]

This guy made kernel at an age of 22


And here I am balancing switch between on and off.

[yamaduta]

He may not be a billionaire and famous like Musk, Bezos, Gates, Steve. But he is the most respected guy among techies. No money can buy that. We love you Linus ❤

[prashinde]

This guy is a legend.

He deserves Noble Prize

[anishtadev]

This guy is a saint. He built the best kernel in the world and made it free

[ojaschandgadkar]

Windows / Apple have customers
Linux on other hand have fans.

You are a real hero for every tech person!

[ProcashFloyd]

He is the reason why internet is so accessible and really affordable to everyone in the world.

[byte_easel]

It really is insane how he created Git, the most used VCS system in the world used in every Silicon Valley tech company and wrote it HIMSELF... and made it free and open source.

[tarunlahrod]

"So git is my second big project which is only created to maintain my first big project."

echo "This guy is truly an inspiration";

[aleph]

The host was trying to present him as a heroic figure, a dreamer with a vision because that’s more inspiring and perhaps more entertaining to the audience. But no, Linus has normal values just like the majority of us and he feels genuinely happy about it.

[chrisreich]

I am impressed by his level of self-awareness and self-acceptance, as well as his acknowledgement that all different kinds of people have value.

[converti]

I am using Git, without having idea who this guy is. what a great surprise to meet this great man.

[Will-zgur]

He's like the Ghengis Khan of computers. A little bit of him in everyone's computer.

[vinaytanwar]

This man is so optimized... Doesn't move his jaw when he talk..
.


.
.
.

[eccentricOrange]

Anyone notice the difference in his confidence? The moment we have code on the slides, he switches from going through an interviewer and directly address the audience. Wonderful!

[bekirkl]

He is the most humble person I've seen in years, such a simple personality full of passion and none of the greed, especially greed. I like how he says "I'm doing fine, and thats enough" when was asked about other people making worlds money with his contribution to technology. A man that cannot get corrupted by money is the thing people should get inspired by. I'd be honored to share a couple teas with him.