In "The Soul of a New Machine," author Tracy Kidder recounts West's reflections on the VAX system, where he perceives a direct correlation between the machine's complexities and the structure of Digital Equipment Corporation's (DEC) organization. West is struck by the intricate nature of VAX, feeling that the communication protocols required between its components are unnecessarily complicated. This complexity leads him to believe that the design of the VAX mirrors the shortcomings of DEC itself.

This realization prompts West to evaluate how the inefficiencies within the VAX might represent deeper issues within the corporate culture at DEC. He sees the device not just as a tool, but as a manifestation of the challenges and flaws present in the organization's hierarchy and processes. Therefore, for West, the VAX symbolizes more than a technological achievement; it reflects the intricate dynamics that govern corporate life and innovation.