software-as-building-material
Software is currently like decorative mosaic but will evolve into fundamental structural material akin to stone or steel in constructing complex systems.
1 chapter across 1 book
Mirror Worlds (1991)David Gelernter
Chapter 1 introduces Mirror Worlds as dynamic software models that replicate real-world systems in real-time, enabling comprehensive understanding and interaction with complex social and institutional environments. It contrasts current software's superficial role with its future foundational importance as a building material for complex information machines, emphasizing a forthcoming software revolution that will transform society and public policy. The chapter also outlines the conceptual framework and structure of the book, focusing on the evolution of software, ensemble programs, and the construction of Mirror Worlds.