We’re used to thinking of software as something permanent: bought, maintained, and scaled. But what if it didn’t have to be? The cost of writing code has plummeted, making it easier than ever to build ephemeral software (tools created for a specific need, used for a short time, then discarded). Instead of forcing rigid, bloated SaaS into every workflow, individuals can now spin up lightweight, hyper-personalized apps that do exactly what’s needed—nothing more, nothing less.