The article explores the hypothetical scenario of a programmer from 1984 waking up in 2014 and how their development practices would transform due to advancements in technology and programming paradigms. It emphasizes the shift towards high-level programming languages, efficient application design, and the necessity of simplifying software to adapt to modern computing capabilities. The author critiques the complexity of contemporary programming and advocates for self-contained applications that utilize modern system features effectively.

The article critiques Apple's declining attention to detail in its software design over the past decade, highlighting issues with user experience, accessibility, and inconsistent UI elements across its apps. Specific examples include disruptive popups in the Reminders app, the confusing placement of search bars, and significant design flaws in both macOS and iOS updates. The author expresses disappointment in Apple's failure to maintain its once-legendary focus on user-centric design.

The article discusses the importance of separating business logic from side effects in coding by adopting a functional core and imperative shell approach. This method enhances code testability, maintainability, and adaptability by allowing core logic to be tested in isolation, while the imperative shell manages external interactions. An example is provided to illustrate the transition from a mixed logic approach to a structured functional core and imperative shell design.