Quick thoughts about never reading the code
Oct 31, 2026
I’ve been thinking about the turning point it seems we’re at with regard to AI code generation and human review - that is, will humans ever read the code moving forward? It sure feels like those days of writing good-looking Ruby are GONE gone. I liked those.
I think all these (contradictory?) things today:
- Current LLMs can absolutely do things humans cannot
- There is intrinsic value to the code being “good” (in the spirit of the Jobs ‘back of the chest of drawers’ quote)
- I’m really uncomfortable using an application where no experienced human ever read the User class. Or the authorization system.
- Every great programmer I look up to is fully embracing not needing to read the code