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In the talk titled "Kill 'Microservices' before its too late," Chad Fowler discusses the problems associated with microservices in software development during the Rocky Mountain Ruby 2016 conference. He outlines his perspective on how the term 'microservices' has been misused and misconstrued, leading to misunderstanding among many developers and companies.

Key points include:

- **Misinterpretation of Microservices**: Fowler believes the term 'microservices' has lost its meaning, with many organizations trying to implement it without understanding its true essence, causing inefficiencies.
- **Decoupling and Flexibility**: The essential goal in software development should be to reduce coupling to allow for greater flexibility in adapting to changing business needs.
- **Legacy Code**: He challenges the negative connotation associated with legacy code, positing it can be viewed positively if managed correctly. Fowler argues that code should be treated as an asset, not a liability.
- **Impermanence in Systems**: Fowler emphasizes that successful software systems should embrace change and impermanence, much like natural systems do (e.g., a car or the human body) to maintain health and efficiency over time.
- **The Role of Small Components**: He highlights the importance of small components in software design, suggesting that they are easier to manage and facilitate a more agile development process.
- **Adapting to Change**: At his company, Wonderlist, Fowler promoted the practice of replacing old code with new solutions, ensuring that the system could continuously evolve without the burden of outdated legacy systems.
- **Cultural Shifts in Organizations**: He advocates for a culture that embraces change, suggesting that management structures and team configurations should be adaptable rather than fixed.

Chad wraps up his talk by reinforcing that microservices should not be a goal in itself, but rather a means to achieve greater flexibility and adaptability in software development. The final takeaway is that a healthy software environment should allow systems to adjust and thrive over time, making impermanence a fundamental concept in the design and management of these systems.

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