Indeed, but I also don't see why this couldn't extend to the kernel too: it would self-compile upon boot. There is an obvious bootstrapping issue (there has to

Indeed, but I also don't see why this couldn't extend to the kernel too: it would self-compile upon boot. There is an obvious bootstrapping issue (there has to be a compiler for any language you want to compile, including the one your compiler is in), but it's certainly interesting food for thought.