yegor256 podcast Shift-M/56: Douglas Crockford about JavaScript, OOP, JSON, Misty, and actors
Jan 18, 2026
Douglas Crockford, a software architect celebrated for his contributions to JavaScript and JSON, dives into the complexities of programming languages. He critiques JavaScript's bloated nature due to legacy features and contrasts it with the elegant simplicity of its functional core. He argues that language purity often fails in the industry and highlights the challenges faced by clean languages. Crockford introduces his actor language prototype, Misty, promotes the benefits of message-passing systems for distribution, and emphasizes the importance of dynamic objects over rigid structures.
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The 'Crockford Times' Reddit Comment
- Douglas Crockford mentions a Reddit comment: "I miss the Crockford Times."
- He uses it to illustrate nostalgia for earlier, cleaner JavaScript styles.
The Brilliant Core Of JavaScript
- JavaScript contains a brilliant functional subset that is simple and highly effective for real programs.
- Douglas Crockford argues the extra, borrowed features mostly add noise and hinder productivity.
Target New Problems To Launch A Language
- Position a new clean language to solve problems other languages handle poorly before expecting adoption.
- If it targets novel problem domains, it has a chance despite existing legacy ecosystems.
