I'm fascinated by the process of increasing precision: how you can work with and around the errors in a system to build something better -- marking gear teeth precisely by using a worm gear; forming a precise worm gear (or threaded rod) by using a two-point threading tool, and other processes that the old machinists used to build sextants from scrap. Similarly, compiler design, of increasing sophistication, using lower-level compilers: some time soon people will look back at that in exactly the same light. Is it hand-made jewelry if I built the CNC mill that makes the jewelry? all the castings, all the machining, all the programming?
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Is it hand-made jewelry if I built the CNC mill that makes the jewelry? all the castings, all the machining, all the programming?