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Am I my colleague’s keeper? To what extent are we responsible for the consequences of our code? More than two thousand years ago conversations on central questions of human ethics were enshrined in one of the primary ancient wisdom texts, the Talmud. Now, as the tech industry is beginning to wake up to the idea that we can not separate our work from its ethical and moral ramifications these questions take on a new urgency. In this talk, we will delve into questions of our responsibility to our teammates, to our code, and to the world through both the ancient texts and modern examples.
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In the talk "Talmudic Gems For Rails Developers," speaker Yechiel Kalmenson explores the ethical and moral implications of software development through the lens of Talmudic wisdom. He draws parallels between the challenges faced by programmers today and the ancient debates recorded in the Talmud, emphasizing the responsibility developers have towards their code, their teams, and society at large. **Key Points Discussed:** - **Ethical Dilemmas in Tech:** Kalmenson introduces ethical dilemmas, like the trolley problem, that programmers face and suggests that these moral questions, much like Talmudic studies, often lead to more questions than answers. - **Importance of Mentorship:** He emphasizes finding mentors and companions as crucial for personal growth, highlighting the value of learning from others and the reciprocal nature of mentoring. - **Peer Learning:** The talk discusses the significance of peer programming as a method to enhance learning and growth amongst developers, suggesting that working together can sharpen skills effectively. - **Community Engagement:** Kalmenson stresses the value of being part of a tech community, whether local or online, as a means to provide support and foster belonging among developers. - **Consistency in Growth:** He advocates for consistent practice, referring to the '100 days of code' challenge, to build better coding habits over time. - **Responsibility for Code:** Kalmenson addresses the broader impact that software can have on society, arguing that developers must consider the ethical implications of their work beyond just functionality. - **Civic Responsibility:** He illustrates this concept with a parable about a ship to illustrate how individual actions can have consequences on the community, stressing that ignoring ethical responsibilities is not an option. **Conclusions and Takeaways:** Kalmenson concludes that while developers cannot solve all the world's problems, they have a unique opportunity to use their skills and code to improve the world. He encourages attendees to actively engage with their responsibilities both to their craft and to their communities, promoting an ethical approach to software development that aligns with Talmudic teachings.
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