The Magic of Code: Wonder, the Experience, and Future of Programming | Sam Arbesman

Sam Arbesman writes deep, beautiful books about the boundary between technology, knowledge, and wonder. His most recent book, The Magic of Code, is another profound exploration—this time into the wonders revealed by code. Sam describes code as “a universal force—swirling through disciplines, absorbing ideas, and connecting worlds.” In this episode, Dart and Sam talk about the experience of coding: what makes it great, when it feels arduous or magical, and how AI could change the experience.

Sam Arbesman is a complexity scientist trained in computational biology and applied mathematics. He is the author of The Magic of Code, Overcomplicated, and The Half-Life of Facts. Sam is currently Scientist in Residence advising on emerging trends at Lux Capital—a venture firm investing at the outermost edges of what’s possible.

In this episode, Dart and Sam discuss:
- The experience of writing software—and how to improve it
- How Sam first discovered the magic of code
- When code feels magical and why
- How simple tools spark creativity
- Two ways to see computing: utilitarian vs. wondering
- The joy of coding just for yourself
- What simulations teach us about reality
- How coding reframes how we see the world
- The hidden connections and limits of debugging
- How AI could reshape coding and create leaner teams
- Why the history of computing matters
- And more…

Sam Arbesman is Scientist in Residence at Lux Capital, where he advises on emerging trends at the edges of science and innovation. Previously he was a Senior Scholar at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and a Research Fellow at Harvard. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. He holds a PhD in computational biology, and is the author of The Magic of Code, Overcomplicated, and The Half‑Life of Facts.

Resources Mentioned:
The Magic of Code: How Digital Language Created and Connects Our World―and Shapes Our Future, by Sam Arbesman: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Code-Language-Connects-World_and/dp/1541704487/

Connect with Sam:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arbesman/
Website: https://arbesman.net/ 

Work with Dart:
Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.