[Haskell-cafe] Re: Why?

[John D. Earle]

David, think of the machine as being the earth and laziness is in the 
clouds. Strict evaluation is closer to the machine. The relationship between 
a lazy algorithm and the earth is abstract; hence, it will make creating 
algorithms especially efficient ones difficult. All of this is still a work 
in progress. The Haskell creed appears to be, This is the way so stick to 
it! The idea appears to be that by sticking to the program the problems will 
be overcome in time and we will be left with all the glorious goodness. At 
one time it was not possible to achieve the sort of efficiency that Haskell 
achieves as a matter of course.