I like your organism explanation. This is something I've learned over the past decade, albeit not at any company at the level of Google.
The way I've often describe software to clients is likening it to Formula 1 cars. With a normal car, you turn the key and drive, and it should definitely work for anyone. With a Formula 1 car, the tyres need to be warm, the driver needs to be experienced, and there are so many reasons why a working car can stall that careful monitoring, maintenance, and revision needs to be done long-term by an experienced team.
Sure, the software on your computer might run like the former, but in the background that huge pit stop team has been plugging away for years, and will continue to plug away with optimisations and fixes.
The way I've often describe software to clients is likening it to Formula 1 cars. With a normal car, you turn the key and drive, and it should definitely work for anyone. With a Formula 1 car, the tyres need to be warm, the driver needs to be experienced, and there are so many reasons why a working car can stall that careful monitoring, maintenance, and revision needs to be done long-term by an experienced team.
Sure, the software on your computer might run like the former, but in the background that huge pit stop team has been plugging away for years, and will continue to plug away with optimisations and fixes.