Weaving as a Metaphor for Creation
Weaving is one of humanity’s oldest creative acts. From ancient Egyptian linen and Persian carpets to indigenous American weavings, fabric served a practical purpose and conveyed art and storytelling. Early looms were operated by artisans who knew every thread by touch. In the 19th century, Ada Lovelace remarked that the Analytical Engine “weaves algebraic patterns, just as the Jacquard-loom weaves flowers and leaves.” In her view, weaving threads and writing code were similar acts—both transforming abstract ideas into tangible form.
Weaving interlaces vertical warp threads with horizontal weft. Software development interweaves logical structures and data elements. Both crafts start with separate strands that, when combined, form something complete. As a weaver adjusts threads to perfect a pattern, a programmer refines code. The loom metaphor—whether wooden beams or a framework—embodies the creative process.
From Artisanal Craft to Industrialization
Textile production was a personal endeavor. A single weaver carded wool, spun thread, and wove cloth by hand. The finished fabrics carried unique marks—variations in hand-spun yarn and regional patterns—making each piece a reflection of its maker. Before industrialization, textiles were labor-intensive treasures, and weaving skills passed down through generations reinforced community identity.
The Industrial Revolution in the West transformed this process. Innovations like James Hargreaves’ spinning jenny and Edmund Cartwright’s power loom introduced mechanized speed and scale. Joseph-Marie Jacquard’s programmable loom, demonstrated in 1801, changed the craft. It enabled unskilled operators to produce designs once reserved for master weavers by using punched cards to lift threads in precise patterns. The focus shifted from individual creation to standardized factory production. Cloth that took days or weeks to weave could now be produced in hours. This change brought abundance and new challenges: quality fabrics became accessible, and the personal touch of the artisan diminished.
In early 19th-century France, skilled silk weavers protested by destroying Jacquard looms. Similar tensions fueled the Luddite movement in England, where textile workers targeted machines threatening their livelihoods. Factory production achieved remarkable efficiency but often compromised the artistry of handcrafted work.
The Persistence of Craft
Artisanal textile creation persisted even with industrial looms. In regions like India, traditional handloom practices have survived industrialization and remain integral to cultural heritage. India’s handwoven textiles—like a Banarasi silk sari or khadi cotton cloth—embody deep narratives and techniques. In the Andes, indigenous weavers use backstrap looms for traditional patterns, and West African artisans craft Kente cloth with geometric designs. In these regions, handloom weaving expresses cultural identity and individuality. Support from cultural organizations and niche markets ensures the maker-product connection continues.
From Personal Projects to Platforms
In the 1960s and 70s, individual programmers or small teams built entire programs, each line of code reflecting personal style. Pioneers worked like guild artisans, developing new techniques and sharing knowledge within tight-knit communities. Many early computer games and applications were handcrafted and circulated through informal networks, like handwoven textiles.
As software demand grew, development shifted to an industrial-scale process. Large corporations assembled extensive teams to build complex systems, resembling how mechanized looms replaced individual weavers. Specialized departments emerged, with each member contributing to a larger whole. Software engineering became synonymous with efficiency and standardization, and code was produced and maintained like factory products. This approach enabled rapid creation of powerful software but diminished the personal touch that once defined the craft.
The Arena vs. The Loom
Today creation takes place “in the arena”—a place of competition, clout-chasing, and market dominance. Creators battle for attention and validation, measuring worth through metrics and market share. This mindset leads to a focus on short-term wins and growth hacking rather than authentic creativity. Algorithmic AI slop, mass-market factory trends, the patterns play out time and time again.
The loom offers a different approach. Unlike the arena’s competitive battleground, it is a creative tool for personal expression and craftsmanship. It represents creation for its own sake. Success at the loom is measured by the satisfaction of creation, not by external validation or market dominance.
This shift in metaphor isn’t merely philosophical—it changes our approach. We prioritize personal satisfaction over performative creation, craftsmanship over scale, and authentic expression over market fit as we move away from the arena and return to the loom.
Software as Soft-wear
When we view coding as weaving, the term “software” changes. It becomes “soft-wear”—something personalized, comfortable, and crafted with intention. Like a handwoven garment that fits its wearer, good software feels natural and reflects its creator’s vision.
Soft-wear suggests that the best programs, like the finest textiles, are made with care and attention to detail. They’re not mass-produced for the broadest audience but thoughtfully designed for specific needs. They’re soft in that they adapt to their users rather than forcing them to adapt.
Vibe Coding: The New Loom
A recent development in software creation points toward a return to the loom: “vibe coding.” It is a term coined by Andrej Karpathy that describes a process where developers focus on creative flow while AI handles most of the code generation. The programmer articulates a vision, and the AI translates it into functional code.
This approach parallels the Jacquard loom’s revolution in weaving. Just as it automated complex pattern creation, AI-assisted programming automates implementation details, allowing developers to concentrate on high-level design. The human provides the vision while the machine executes the details.
Vibe coding offers a middle path between artisanal craftsmanship and industrial efficiency. It allows for personal expression and creative flow while leveraging technology to reduce repetitive tasks.
Weaving the Future
The journey from handloom to factory floor, and from garage coder to global software team, has striking parallels. Both textiles and software started with artisans creating personal works, then shifted to industrial-scale production, and now witness a resurgence of craft within the industrial landscape.
Technological progress doesn’t erase the importance of human creativity. A modern textile mill and a massive software company represent remarkable efficiency, but the presence of a master weaver in a village or a passionate open-source developer shows the enduring desire to create with independence and artistry.
Tech leaders can learn from the loom. They can balance craft and scale to build organizations that achieve scope while fostering creativity and personal investment. Developers are weavers of possibility. Each codebase is a fabric carrying meaning and purpose.
In both cloth and code, creating something meaningful requires stepping out of the arena and returning to the loom—a place where ideas are woven, one thread at a time.