I think the most steelman version is that he argues efficient software does in fact provide value to users. Whether or not they know it. And perhaps not always

I think the most steelman version is that he argues efficient software does in fact provide value to users. Whether or not they know it. And perhaps not always in terms of the application they have running right in front of them, but at a systemic or societal level. Little things add up, especially since software has eaten nearly every crumb.