Let Me Code

Talks

Let Me Code

Liana Leahy

#developer-experience-dx

Let Me Code

by Liana Leahy

The video titled "Let Me Code" features Liana Leahy presenting a humorous lyrical adaptation inspired by the challenges faced by programmers, particularly in the Ruby on Rails community. This creative take is a parody of a well-known song, repurposed to express the frustrations and triumphs associated with coding.

Key Points Discussed:
- Coding Isolation: The lyrics open with the metaphor of a glowing laptop screen, highlighting the solitary nature of coding and the struggles with making pull requests (PRs) that may not perform as expected.
- Imposter Syndrome: The song humorously touches on feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome that many developers experience, acknowledging the internal battle with oneself while coding.
- Defense Against Criticism: Liana emphasizes a resilient attitude against negative feedback from peers or trolls in the tech community, promoting a message of self-acceptance regardless of others' opinions.
- Embracing Freedom in Coding: A critical message conveyed is about breaking free from limitations, illustrated by lines expressing a desire to explore coding capabilities and techniques without strict adherence to rules. This notion of 'freedom' in coding encourages creativity.
- Technical References: Throughout the performance, there are several references to programming concepts such as SQL queries and Ruby, which help ground the humor in the technical aspects that resonate with the audience.
- Community Connectedness: The lyrics respond positively to the challenges faced in coding and how distance from negative feedback can help developers thrive.

The overall theme revolves around the liberation one feels when embracing their coding identity, shedding insecurities, and celebrating the journey of being a developer. By merging humor with relatable programming experiences, Liana Leahy delivers a powerful message about resilience and the joy of coding, while acknowledging both the struggles and victories within the tech community.

In conclusion, "Let Me Code" is not just a light-hearted take on the coding life but also a reaffirmation of passion for software development, encouraging others to push past their boundaries and enjoy the process regardless of external pressures or criticisms.

00:00:17.000 Hi, I'm Liana Leahy, and this was made with lots of love.

00:00:36.719 The screen glows white on my laptop tonight, and my RSpec won't go green. I'm coding in isolation, so my pull requests are obscene. My doubts are howling like this swirling storm inside. I couldn't keep it in; heaven knows I've tried. Don't let them in, don't let them see. My GitHub repos are mortifying me. Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know! Oh God, you know!

00:01:20.920 Let me code! Let me code! Can't hold it back anymore. Let me code! Let me code! I want to play with Rails 4.0.4. I don't care what they're going to say. Let the nerds rage on; the trolls never bothered me anyway.

00:01:53.320 It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small, and the imposter syndrome can't get to me at all. It's time to see what I can do, to test the limits and break through. No right, no wrong; Sandi's rules for me, I'm free!

00:02:26.120 Let me code! Let me code! Matz is my favorite guy. Let me code! Let me code! DHH will never see me cry. Here I stand, and here I'll stay. Let the nerds rage on!

00:02:54.840 I'm watching SQL queries from top down. I'm using Ruby to draw frozen fractals all around, and one thought solidifying like an icy blast. I'm never going back; the past is in the past.

00:03:29.040 Let me code! Let me code! When I'll rise like the break of dawn. Let me code! Let me code! That perfect girl is gone. Here I stand with the apps I've made. Let the nerds rage on; the trolls never bothered me anyway.