In the closing keynote titled 'Lucky You' at the Birmingham on Rails 2020 conference, Sandi Metz explores the concept of luck and how various factors influence our perceptions and experiences of luck in our lives. She begins by acknowledging the role of sponsors and organizers in making the event possible, stressing the importance of community. Metz shares research by psychologist Richard Wiseman, who identifies four principles that contribute to the self-perception of 'lucky' individuals:

• Pay Attention: Lucky individuals are attentive to their surroundings rather than being internally focused.
• Be Open: They tend to listen to their intuition and are willing to embrace the flow of experiences.
• Practice Self-Fulfilling Prophecies: Lucky people often do not expect luck but create situations that lead to positive outcomes.
• Interpret Experiences Positively: They view events through a positive lens, which alters their perception of experiences.

Metz reflects on personal anecdotes, illustrating the transformative effect these principles have had in her life and adventures. Furthermore, she addresses the demographic exploration in the programming profession, emphasizing that luck can also be affected by socioeconomic factors and demographic identity. For instance, she cites Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicating vast income differences based on gender and ethnicity in programming jobs.

She discusses the implications of data provided by Raj Chetty, which shows that where one grows up significantly influences their future economic opportunities. Factors like race, family structure, school quality, and social capital play crucial roles in determining life trajectories. The talk demonstrates how societal structures—especially those relating to housing, education, and economic policy—largely account for disparities in wealth and success among different communities.

In her conclusion, Metz calls upon attendees to acknowledge their complicity in societal inequalities and to actively promote systemic changes to address these disparities. She emphasizes the need for solutions that are public, democratic, and empower wider communities to share in wealth and opportunities. Ultimately, she encourages every individual, especially those in tech, to leverage their privilege to institute meaningful change.