Right now, computers, which are supposed to be our servant, are oppressing us.

I am confident that we can do better than GUIs because the basic problem with them (and with the Linux and Unix interfaces) is that they ask a human being to do things that we know experimentally humans cannot do well. The question I asked myself is, given everything we know about how the human mind works, could we design a computer and computer software so that we can work with the least confusion and greatest efficiency?

As far as the customer is concerned, the interface is the product.

A computer shall not waste your time or require you to do more work than is strictly necessary.

Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of complaining.

An interface is humane if it is responsive to human needs and considerate of human frailties.

What users want is convenience and results.