The creator of Linear argues that software reflects the intuition of its makers, not just factory-like processes. At Linear, they prioritize human experience over data-driven decisions, believing that true product quality comes from deep understanding and thoughtful judgment. They stress that products develop character through what their teams choose to focus on and refine, not just add features.
This 'soul' ensures cohesive design rather than fragmented, additive changes. Recently, many products feel disjointed as companies prioritize technical capabilities over form and user experience. The founder notes that individual teams working in isolation — each building small 'software factories' — dilute the original vision, resulting in Frankenstein-like products lacking unified perspective.
While automation makes software development easier, the creator hopes it empowers developers to cultivate deeper insight and shape products with intention. They advocate for sustained connection with customers and a commitment to refining core problems rather than merely adding capabilities. The belief is that products should feel crafted by someone who cares, not mass-produced by faceless systems.
This perspective challenges the industry's shift toward feature accumulation over intentional design.
Source: Hacker News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing