You Are Not Expected to Understand This collects essays that trace how small, human choices in programming have shaped systems we rely on every day. Contributors from technology, history, and journalism examine the social consequences of software design.

Topics range from the origin of pop‑up ads and the first computer worm to legacy database fields that encoded gender and the influence of the Bitcoin white paper. Short, focused pieces connect technical moments to broader cultural and legal effects.

Written for curious readers, technologists, and students, the book encourages reflection on how code decisions reverberate across institutions and everyday life. Published by Princeton University Press.

• Historical and technical perspectives
• Contributions from experts across fields
• Explores social impacts of software choices

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