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In his closing keynote at the Keep Ruby Weird 2018 event, Avdi Grimm explores the theme of whimsy in Ruby programming, focusing on the philosophical implications of object-oriented programming (OOP) and its inherent transactional fallacy. He argues that code, while essential, is incidental to programming, which should be viewed as an applied philosophy that shapes our understanding of the world. Grimm emphasizes the importance of messaging over method calling in OOP, referencing Alan Kay's original vision of OOP as a messaging-oriented system rather than one focused solely on objects.

Key points discussed include:
  - **Whimsy in Ruby Culture**: The quirky nature of Ruby programming reflects a whimsical culture, although Grimm admits he struggles with this concept.
  - **Code as Incidental**: Programming should be seen as a way to express philosophy and understand the world, rather than just writing code.
  - **Messaging vs. Methods**: OOP should focus on messaging, where objects communicate and decide how to respond, contrasting with the traditional view of calling methods.
  - **Transactional Fallacy**: Grimm identifies a significant issue in programming practices—modeling processes as transactions leads to confusion and disconnection from real-world dynamics.
  - **Importance of Grace**: Building graceful processes involves starting from current states, acknowledging history, and embracing failures as part of the learning experience. 
  - **Embodiment in Programming**: Encourages programmers to stay connected with their bodies and recognize their physical self as vital to their work life.

Grimm concludes that by recognizing the intertwined relationship between our programming ideals and our life philosophies, we can approach both programming and life with a mindset focused on process, flexibility, and grace. He urges programmers to move beyond transactional thinking and build systems that respect the complexities and messiness of reality. The keynote serves as a reflective call to rethink our programming practices and life choices, reminding us to embrace the process rather than fixate on predetermined outcomes.

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