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Title: As a language, can we make Ruby as signficant as Latin, Ancient Greek or Sanskrit?
Presented by: Malcom Arnold

Ruby is a dying language. The same as the ones that came before it. Eventually, it will deprecate and be relegated to the history books. Does anyone know what the cultures or values of Fortran, Cobol, Pascal or Basic were? Does anyone know what was specifically accomplished with them? If you do know, do you really think that anyone besides a small circle within the tech-geek world cares? Only a few uber geeks still speak Latin, Greek or Sanskit. Yet, the entire planet knows about these languages and what they contributed. They care not just because of the monuments built, most of which have turned to dust and have become fables, but because of the ideas, culture and values that were created and passed on through the generations. Each of these languages created a distinct culture whose memorable flame burns eternal and contributed to the planet. What culture, if any, will Ruby on Rails create? The efficiency of Ruby on Rails, the demand for it, the convergence of economic and technical forces provide the tools and incentives to create a culture of our choosing that could be memorable for decades and longer. Will we seize the opportunity to create lasting positive change? Within 8 months of Ruby Nuby's first meeting, it has grown to over 700 members with training locations in 3 countries and multiple university partners . Ruby Nuby will present a systematic plan of how we can make Ruby on Rails as memorable as Latin, Sanskrit or Ancient Greek due the culture, ideas and values we will create and pass on.

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In this presentation, Malcolm Arnold discusses the potential for Ruby on Rails to achieve historical significance akin to that of Ancient Greek, Latin, or Sanskrit. He argues that various global and social forces are converging to create a unique opportunity to leverage Ruby on Rails for positive social change. Key points of his argument include:

- **Youth Demographics:** With 50% of the world’s population under 30, particularly in regions like Africa, there is a bulging youth demographic that, if empowered, could drive cultural change.
- **Economic Disparity:** Arnold highlights the unprecedented wealth disparity globally, linking it to social unrest and the potential for conflict, which Ruby on Rails could help mitigate by fostering better opportunities.
- **Efficiency of Ruby on Rails:** At 75% more cost-effective than many other programming languages, Ruby on Rails stands out as an effective tool for developers seeking productivity.
- **Cultural Significance:** Historically, programming languages have faded due to a lack of culture and community. Arnold stresses the importance of creating a vibrant community around Ruby on Rails that cultivates values and ideas that transcend technology.
- **Ruby Nuby's Initiative:** Arnold introduces Ruby Nuby, a program targeting low-income youth, which encourages collaboration between students from diverse backgrounds to create a supportive environment for learning Ruby on Rails and other technologies. Participants also engage in community development and entrepreneurship through camps and workshops.
- **Sustainability Goals:** Emphasizing the need for a socially responsible tech community, he outlines goals for gender balance and inclusivity in the tech space, aiming to build leaders who can drive societal change through technology.
- **Future Prospects:** Arnold envisions a system where education is tailored to community needs without financial burdens on participants, promoting a cycle of generosity and community investment.

The conclusion reinforces the idea that, with the right mindset and actions, Ruby on Rails can become a lasting force for good, helping to build a community that values sustainability, diversity, and social justice. Arnold calls for civically engaged individuals to spread the word and participate in creating a brighter future through shared technological progress.

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