Just a Ruby Minute

by Andrew Faraday

In this lively and interactive video segment from RubyConf 2015, Andrew Faraday introduces a fun twist on the classic British panel game 'Just a Minute,' tailored for the Ruby community. The game involves a panel of four contestants: Aaron Patterson, Andy Croll, Kerri Miller, and Sam Phippen, who will challenge each other to speak on various Ruby-related topics for one minute without hesitation, repetition, or deviation. This segment encourages audience participation, asking attendees to engage with the contestants through applause and reactions. As the game progresses, the audience is invited to challenge the panelists if they perceive any infringement of the rules, adding a dynamic layer to the event. The format not only showcases the contestants' communication skills but also highlights their witty insights and humorous takes on Ruby topics, making it a unique and entertaining experience. The main takeaways are the importance of quick thinking and effective communication in public speaking, especially within technical discussions, as well as the collaborative and playful spirit of the Ruby community, which embraces learning and laughter. Overall, 'Just a Ruby Minute' serves as both an entertaining game and an opportunity to foster camaraderie among Ruby enthusiasts.

00:00:15.280 Good afternoon RubyConf! The next half hour will be an interactive segment, which means you, the audience, are as much a part of it as the five of us on stage. So, when I say 'Good afternoon RubyConf,' I would like you to reply in kind. Let's try this again!

00:00:22.039 Good afternoon RubyConf! That'll do! Right, my name is Andrew Faraday, and you may have already guessed that I am not from this land between sea and shining sea. I am from a dim and distant place called England.

00:00:34.960 In England, we have these things called panel games. It's kind of like a game show, but unlike typical game shows, it's not about solving problems or answering questions. Instead, in panel games, we play with language and ideas. The game we're about to play is called 'Just a Minute.' In each round, I will select one of the panelists and give them a Ruby-related topic, and they'll be asked to speak about it for one minute.

00:01:02.079 This should be easy for seasoned speakers like these, but there are some things they must avoid: hesitation, repetition, and deviation. This makes it challenging to finish a sentence in English without falling into one of those traps. For that reason, it can be a terrifying and very difficult game. I'd like you all to show as much encouragement as you can to the panel. If you believe someone has done well, by all means, put your hands together and raise your voice to let them know! The game involves challenges where the panelists will challenge each other based on whether they think the rules have been broken. And they're a bit subjective, so if you think a challenge is harsh, let us know!

00:01:44.840 There is one more piece of audience interaction that I will ask for, and this is by far the most important. The show starts on all occasions with the same declaration of welcome and then some piano music— the same theme. So when that piano music kicks in, I want you to kindly put your hands together and raise the roof, because that’s how we know the game is on! Are we ready?

00:02:26.480 Welcome to 'Just a Minute.' That's right! Good afternoon and welcome to a very special 'Just a Ruby Minute' here in San Antonio, Texas, for RubyConf 2015.

00:02:32.560 My name is Andrew Faraday, and I’m going to serve up a slice of British culture in the form of the game we call 'Just a Minute.' In each round, I’ll select one of these witty and insightful individuals currently arrayed around me and present them with a Ruby-related topic. They'll then attempt to speak about it for 60 seconds, which should be easy, but the other panelists will be listening intently, ready to interrupt and steal the topic from them if they detect any hint of hesitation— including long pauses or hedging noises, repetition of words other than the title they originally used in this round, or deviation from the topic.