Back in 2009, Facebook introduced the “like” button, which had a huge impact on social media. By making it easier for users to express their approval without leaving comments, it unlocked a flood of validation. However, it also had unsettling side effects, leading to a constant desire for more likes and a pressure to be more extreme in online behavior. Code shapes our lives, even if we rarely see it. Slate has compiled a list of 36 influential pieces of code, including HTML, Monte Carlo simulations, and even the flaw in the Boeing 737 Max. The most consequential code often removes friction and creates new behaviors.
https://slate.com/technology/2019/10/consequential-computer-code-software-history.html