The author reflects on the early days of computing and the transformative impact of Photoshop 1.0, which was released in 1990 by Thomas Knoll. At a time when pixel-based image editors were scarce, Knoll created Photoshop not for photo editing, but for bitmap image creation. This single-person development contrasts sharply with today’s collaborative tech environment. The piece highlights how groundbreaking software and hardware often emerge from small teams or even individuals, as seen with VisiCalc and the Apple II, both pivotal in their eras. The author draws parallels between past innovations and the evolution of the web, suggesting that technological advancements often unfold in unexpected and incremental ways. They argue that we explore new technologies like gradient descent in machine learning—step by step, often stumbling upon features by chance. This contrasts with the idea that visionaries can predict the future. The iPhone serves as a prime example, where its most significant use cases, particularly as an internet device, were unforeseen at its launch. The discussion touches on how paradigms shape our understanding of technology. Historical shifts, like the transition from classical to quantum physics, are mirrored in tech, where new platforms disrupt established norms. The emergence of the internet changed how people viewed computers, yet many developers struggled to adapt their thinking from isolated applications to interconnected systems. The author sees a similar pattern emerging with generative AI, suggesting that society may be slow to grasp its full potential as it did with previous technologies.