A Reading List
Each time a new technology wave comes around there is, by definition, at least one way in which the world is profoundly transformed. Three years in with AI, one force that is rapidly changing the world is software.
Software is a natural medium for the expression of intelligent capability. It is entirely conceptual, and can be wielded in service of both playful and practical needs. But what is its true essence?
As we explore this, we've come across many thinkers and builders from the past who have deeply considered the quality, affordances and nature of software. In no particular order, their writings are listed here:
- Peter Naur, Programming as Theory Building
- Frederick P. Brooks Jr., No Silver Bullet
- Venkatesh Rao, Breaking Smart
- Richard P. Gabriel, The Rise of Worse Is Better
- Bret Victor, Learnable Programming
We invite you to read these and form your own opinions. If you know of something interesting and orthogonal to these, please tell us.