The author reflects on parallels between Peter Naur's 1985 essay 'Programming as Theory Building' and James Scott's book 'Seeing Like a State', exploring the concept of 'legibility' - how complex systems are simplified for centralized control. The piece connects software development practices to broader societal patterns where institutions impose standardized frameworks on complex realities. This philosophical discussion offers insights into how developers navigate complexity in an AI-driven world.
Background
Peter Naur's 'Programming as Theory Building' is a seminal essay arguing that programming involves building mental models rather than just writing code. James Scott's 'Seeing Like a State' examines how states simplify complex social realities for administrative control.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Mar 10, 2026 at 10:32 AM
- Score
- 5.0 / 10