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RubyConf AU 2014: http://www.rubyconf.org.au Congratulations. The Internet is now the centre of civilisation as we know it, and we are the ones who shape the Internet. Our skills are in high demand, we are paid well, we find our work challenging, interesting, and even sometimes fulfilling. These are the glory days of our industry, and we should soak up every minute of it! But with such great power comes a great deal of responsibility. Will we be looking back in the near future, wondering if we squandered our opportunities to shape the digital world accordingly? There's no doubt that we value humanity, intelligence, and compassion. Let's take a look at the ways our industry can ensure these values are reflected not just in the people we are, but the way we work.
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In his talk titled "The Golden Age of the Internet" at RubyConf AU 2014, speaker Pat Allan explores the current state of the internet and the role developers play in shaping it. He opens by questioning the audience's perception of whether the golden age of the internet has already passed, is currently happening, or is yet to come. Allan argues that while we are capable of advancing civilization through our work, there exist significant responsibilities and challenges to consider. He emphasizes the importance of valuing humanity, intelligence, and compassion in our industry and proposes that we reflect these values in our work. Key points discussed include: - **The Role of Developers**: Allan equates developers to 'digital royalty', highlighting their influence on society through the internet, and stresses that without their contributions, civilization would struggle. - **Challenges of the Current Internet**: While there is much to admire about the achievements of developers, he acknowledges the internet's shortcomings, including negative aspects such as trolling and a lack of civility. - **Need for Control and Diversity**: He advocates for developers to reclaim control over the internet from institutional forces like advertisers and governments and emphasizes the significance of diversity in fostering a resilient environment. - **Historical Parallels**: Allan draws parallels between modern internet issues and historical struggles for control in writing and publishing, citing examples of early scribes and their influence in ancient societies. - **Civility and Community Engagement**: He highlights the importance of civility in society at large and within the tech community, and discusses how developers can teach and share knowledge in inclusive ways. To conclude, Allan encourages his audience to actively participate in shaping the future of the internet by embodying values of civility, diversity, and humility. He calls on developers to lead by example, ensuring that when the golden age of the internet arrives, it exemplifies the best attributes of humanity.
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