Reading this while I laboriously handknit a pair of socks, and nodding along. Most of the socks in the world are churned out by machine, wear out, and get thrown away. Yes, my socks are way more expensive, in terms of time and materials.
I'm still writing code the hard way. I'm slow. I like to think critically about every line of code and fiddle with variable names until everything looks right. I treat code as a liability and try to ship only what's necessary.
It's hard to imagine writing code any other way.
But the socks I make are custom designed for purpose, feel much nicer to wear, and can be repaired and upgraded for years. I also get to solve problems, learn new skills, and have fun while creating them.
Just realising how perfect an analogy this is to non-LLM assisted coding.
Feb 1, 2026 14:08There’s a difference between being a craftsperson and being a manufacturer. I choose to be a craftsperson.
Oh! And mine are kinder to the environment too.
