His embrace, however, did not extend to people who were pretentious or pompous {with the exception of Wiener}. When he thought a speaker was spouting nonsense, he would stand up and ask what seemed to be innocent but were in fact devilish questions. After a few moments, the speaker would realize he had been deflated and Licklider would sit down. He didn't like poseurs or pretenders, Tracy recalled. He was never mean, but he slyly pricked people's pretensions.
The subject of the quote had a keen disdain for pretentiousness, showing a particular aversion to those who spoke insincerely or inflated their own importance. His approach was to ask seemingly simple questions that revealed the flaws in their statements, catching the speaker off guard. This tactic not only exposed those who were full of themselves but also highlighted his sharp intellect and insightfulness.
While he was not unkind, his refusal to tolerate pretenders demonstrated a commitment to authenticity and clarity in communication. Tracy's observations capture the essence of this individual's character, showing that he preferred genuine discourse over empty bravado, using wit to keep conversations honest and engaging.
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Other quotes in The Innovators: How a Group of Inventors, Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
Other quotes in book quote
All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
