> This idea of "don't say it's a machine, you're oversimplifying it" is what's harmful in my eyes.
And honestly, there's a lot of complexity to even the smallest thing. A particularly good read, "I, Pencil" goes into how nobody knows how to make even a simple pencil.
I agree, but that seems like a poor example. I could make a pencil out of coal and wood. Wouldn't be as good as a factory one, but good enough. Also, chalk and many other stones/minerals can be used.
Yes and no. The story is more about how that specific (type of) pencil was made, and no single person knows all of it. Even things that we consider simple ... really aren't.
And honestly, there's a lot of complexity to even the smallest thing. A particularly good read, "I, Pencil" goes into how nobody knows how to make even a simple pencil.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/I,_Pencil