Explore the rich history of theoretical computer science through an engaging oral history interview with Dick Karp, conducted by Russell Impagliazzo. Delve into Karp's five-year tenure as Founding Director of the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing and gain insights into key developments in the field. Learn about Karp's journey into computation, his self-perception, and his views on various aspects of computer science. Discover his contributions to flow problems, NP-completeness, and circuit minimization. Gain valuable advice on mentoring graduate students and finding one's niche in the field. Explore the evolution of computer science, data science, algorithms, and computational biology, including Karp's perspectives on cell biology. This comprehensive conversation offers a unique opportunity to learn from one of the most distinguished figures in theoretical computer science.