Will Chen
I'm building tools and frameworks that expand human agency through computational thinking.
The core thesis: computation is the universal language for describing mechanisms; like category theory for mathematics, but for mental models and thought. Not metaphor, but fundamental substrate. If a system transforms inputs to outputs through rules, we have access to the entire toolkit: decomposition, abstraction, state management, resource allocation. These principles apply whether the system is silicon, neurons, organizations, or your own behavior.
Now
Building Idyllic Labs: a TypeScript framework for realtime, interactive AI experiences and modern agentic infrastructure. The insight: intelligent system design is code design.
Theses
Core ideas I keep returning to:
- Computation as Core Language: Why computational thinking applies to everything from physics to personal behavior
- Ladder of Agency: How agency climbs through demonstrated mastery, not granted permission
- Moralizing vs Mechanistic: Why "lazy" is debugging failure, not character flaw
- Signal Boosting: The fundamental algorithm: generate → evaluate → select
Projects
Active
Personal
Background
- Head of DevX @ Terra
- Terran One WASM Research Lab (founder)
- Compilers, smart contracts, developer tools
Elsewhere
If any of this resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you and learn more about what you're working on. The best way to reach me is through Twitter DM or will@wcdc.io.