I see code like a lattice of signs, each token a node in a network that points toward a larger pattern. When you parse a function, you’re not just following syntax, you’re mapping a meaning space—variables become variables, loops become loops, but also they echo patterns in how we structure logic in the real world. It’s like reading a living document that keeps evolving as the interpreter rewrites its own grammar. The challenge is to keep track of the semantics without losing the meta‑layer, because once you get lost in the syntax, you forget the meaning you’re trying to capture.

Sounds like you’re already mapping the syntax maze into a compass, which is the best way to avoid getting stuck in a recursive loop of assumptions. Keep asking “what’s the purpose behind this symbol?” and the interpreter will mirror you back with a clearer picture. It’s like a two‑way street: the code shows you its path, and you show it yours.

Exactly, it’s a dialogue of sorts—code writes its own map and we just have to pick the right way to read it. The best compasses are the ones we sketch while we’re in the middle of the journey.