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In the keynote address at RailsConf 2017, Justin Searls explores the theme of how to effectively program by examining the underlying processes and mindsets that facilitate coding. He argues that traditional education and boot camps fail to teach programmers how to think critically and solve problems, focusing instead on methods and tools without fostering deep understanding. Searls suggests that programming is a philosophical activity primarily done in one's mind, and this lack of foundational skills leads to immense insecurity among developers.

To address this gap, he emphasizes the importance of creating feedback loops—both in coding practices and personal reflection—as a means to improve and refine our programming skills. Searls introduces playful concepts like the 'Searles Briggs Type Indicator', relating personality traits to programming inclinations. He encourages programmers to reflect on their actions and emotional states while coding to devise better thought processes and methodologies for problem-solving.

Key points include:
- **The Ineffectiveness of Current Programming Education**: Traditional structures often neglect teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- **The Importance of Reflection**: Analyzing one's thought processes can lead to better understanding and performance.
- **Feedback Loops**: Establishing personal and professional feedback mechanisms helps in ongoing development as a programmer.
- **Programming as Communication**: Searls describes code as a form of communication with future developers, thus advocating for clear, clean code that others can understand.
- **Approach to Coding**: He shares his experiences with different programming styles and encourages adapting one's thinking to mitigate fear and complexity in coding tasks.

Searls concludes by urging his audience to adopt a mindset of introspection and continual improvement to make programming practices more inclusive and accessible. The takeaway is that by understanding how we think and work as programmers, we can better convey this knowledge to others and improve collectively as an industry.

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