Clive Thompson on the Ramifications of “Vibe Coding”

In this episode, Samuel Arbesman speaks with journalist and author Clive Thompson. Known for his thoughtful writing on science and technology—particularly in the realms of computing and programming—Clive contributes to Wired, The New York Times Magazine, Smithsonian, and more. He is also the author of Coders: The Making of a New Tribe and the Remaking of the World (2019).

With the rise of generative AI and the emergence of “vibe coding,” their conversation turns to the evolving nature of programming and how Clive makes sense of it. They explore his early experiences with computers in the 1970s and ’80s, his temporary departure from coding, and his eventual return. The discussion ranges from creative coding and AI-assisted programming to computational thinking, the literary nature of code, and the future of coding education.