The Nature of Software and Hardware

The distinction between software and hardware is explored as a crucial aspect of understanding technology. Software, which refers to the intangible coding and programming behind user interfaces, is described as vaporous and ephemeral, contrasting with the physical nature of hardware. This contrast highlights the elusive nature of software, making it challenging to grasp its implications in the larger context of technology and society. The podcast illustrates this point through the analogy of people blindfolded trying to identify an elephant, underscoring the difficulty in comprehending the entirety of the Internet and its underlying software.