Brendan Eich: JavaScript, Firefox, Mozilla, and Brave | Lex Fridman Podcast #160
Brendan Eich is a technologist known for creating JavaScript, co-founding the Mozilla project, and serving as the CEO of Brave Software. He was featured on the Lex Fridman Podcast for episode 160, where he discussed his influential work in the tech industry.
JavaScript
Brendan Eich is famously known for creating JavaScript, one of the most widely used programming languages in the world. JavaScript has become a cornerstone of web development, allowing for dynamic and interactive websites. Eich’s vision for JavaScript has transformed the way the Internet is experienced.
Firefox
Eich co-founded the Mozilla project, which led to the development of the Firefox web browser. Firefox has been a significant player in the browser market, promoting open standards and user privacy. Eich’s involvement with Firefox helped shape the future of the web browsing experience.
Mozilla
Eich’s contributions to Mozilla extend beyond Firefox. He played a key role in advancing the organization’s mission to promote an open and accessible Internet. His work has had a lasting impact on the principles of web development and online privacy.
Brave
In 2016, Eich co-founded Brave Software, a company focused on creating a more private and efficient web browsing experience. The Brave browser has gained attention for its innovative approach to ad-blocking and tracking prevention. Eich’s leadership at Brave continues to influence the future of online privacy.
Brendan Eich’s interview on the Lex Fridman Podcast provided insight into his remarkable career in technology. His contributions to JavaScript, Firefox, Mozilla, and Brave have left a lasting impact on the web development and browser industries.
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0:00 – Introduction & sponsor mentions:
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1:53 – History of early programming languages
6:46 – Physics needs more experiments and less theory
11:23 – JavaScript origin story
36:16 – JavaScript was created in 10 days
45:56 – Marc Andreessen
49:13 – Internet Explorer
52:57 – Evolution of JavaScript
58:43 – Javascript standardization
1:04:33 – TypeScript
1:07:04 – JavaScript ecosystem
1:10:14 – HTML5
1:13:46 – Making JavaScript fast
1:22:56 – JavaScript is the most popular language in the world
1:33:22 – Advice for programmers
1:39:19 – Browser wars
1:45:49 – Firefox
2:07:32 – Brave
2:20:32 – Basic Attention Token
2:45:35 – California
2:54:47 – Mortality
2:55:53 – Legacy
great to see the creator of JavaScript it's favorite programming language
Polymorphic dynamic caching mmmmyes.
I have a huge respect for these legendary figures who have changed our world so much. Imagine creating something that literally become the career for the other people.
🫡
I'm gonna tell my kids this was sam hyde.
if js runs most of the software in the future I shall become the new Unabomber
Next time I make a fuck up or screw over something or make a crime I will tell the boss/cop/victim hey "it was an evolutionary necessity,suck it up and keep chaining on that" what a great excuse to justify his fuck up of the world.
the man who cause a billion headaches
While I don’t agree with everything he said, Brendan Eich certainly thinks about issues and gives well-thought out responses. It was a pleasure listening to him.
Thank you.
This video had taught me more about dating than I expected!
The whole idea of being the first, even if you suck, is what will give you evolutionary advantage. Then improve later
Hey one time with linus torvalds.
Great talk.
So am I supposed to hate him or no?
25:33
Now get the creator of PHP on the podcast
It doesn’t matter how much we hack on JS to make it faster / “more secure” it’s a deeply flawed language and will ultimately die out, it’ll take a decade but it will die.
Wow, what an underappreciated interviewee. Netscape, history of Mozilla, C, Rust, JavaScript, Python…. This guy just has a wealth of knowledge and seems like a great guy.
2:40:32 "…you can find tweets to this day…": And if we eliminated anonymity you could know who was making that tweet. Today you can't…by design. If the law was "the golden rule", all you have to do is be able to make a golden rule case for your behavior. Failing that, you deserve what you get…because that's what your asking for.
2:40:15 "…like I said about the cunning of reason…": So he sees the problem and not only ignores it, he defends it. Folks, anonymity is alien to transparency. Get rid of anonymity and the transparency guaranteed by that move is like sunshine… the world's best disinfectant.