Douglas Adams

Douglas Noël Adams (1952–2001) was an English author, screenwriter, and humorist best known for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, spanning radio, novels, television, and film. His work used satirical science fiction to critique technology and human folly; the quoted line reflects his theme that attempts to make systems foolproof often underestimate human ingenuity.

Quotes by Douglas Adams

Quotes: 1

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. — Douglas Adams

The Ingenious Fool: Limits of Foolproof Design

Rather than striving for absolute foolproofing, designers today increasingly favor flexibility and adaptability. User-centered approaches—such as iterative prototyping and feedback loops—accept that mistakes are part of the process. By embracing the inevitability of creative misuse, solutions can become resilient, adaptable, and ultimately, more user-friendly. [...]

Created on: 8/8/2025