Systems (and by “systems” I mean “everything”) can be modeled as stocks and flows.[1] Stocks are quantities that accumulate (or disappear) over time, like money in a bank account or code in your repository. They may not be physical, but they are observable in some sense. Flows are how the stock is filled, and how … Read moreSystems Thinking about WIT
In all decisions, we bring our context with us. Layers of context, from what we read about that morning to who our heroes were growing up. We don’t realize how much context we assume in our communications, and in our code. One time I taught someone how to make the Baby Vampire face. It involves … Read moreAccidental vs Deliberate Context
When we feel like we’re good at something, that’s when we can really learn it, sink our teeth in and love it and do it until we’re experts. It is a great motivator, this feeling of confidence. This belief that we can accomplish what we want to do is called self-efficacy. There are four sources … Read moreWhy Aren’t There More Women Programmers
On our team, in the user group, and at conferences, we try to build community. In each conversation, we do this by emphasizing ways we are alike. Who doesn’t like beer? Monty Python is funny. Everyone has done Object Oriented programming. We all went to college. Each of us can grow a beard. Video games … Read moreWelcome All the People
This post is about diversity. But not about gender — gender is a symptom of the larger problem, and I am a part of that problem. First, something about brains: In our brains, everything that goes in, what we see and hear and read, forms a pattern in our neural connections. Later, when we see … Read moreGeeks, Freaks, Nerds, & Programmers
What are these opportunities I have to fight so hard to have and obstacles I have to fight to overcome everyone is always talking about? — Amber Conville (@crebma) November 20, 2012 Amber nails it, but not in the way you might think. Where are these opportunities? You don’t see the opportunities that no one … Read moreThe invisible hand that isn’t there
Yesterday at the Java User Group, I talked to someone with a recent Ph.D. in Computer Science who can’t get a programming job. Why? He doesn’t have experience. Everyone wants to hire a Java programmer with Spring and Hibernate to program in Java using Spring and Hibernate. To get experience, you need to have experience. … Read moreThe chicken and the egg both come first
After the first session at StrangeLoop, I ran downstairs, heading for the side of the lobby with the women’s restroom. I had to pee. Halfway there I looked up; it said “Men’s Restroom.” Turned around: “Men’s Restroom.” Wait a minute. The venue converted the women’s room into a men’s to alleviate overcrowding. They did not … Read moreThis is not OK
I have enjoyed being a woman in a profession dominated by men. I love being the only woman in a roomful of men. I love when they open doors for me. When they carry heavy boxes for me. When they give me a chair in a full room. I love it even more when a … Read moreConfessions of a woman in tech
The other day, a scientist announced the detection of the Higgs Boson in a presentation using the much-maligned Comic Sans font. Dialog about the discovery focused on the design faux pas. I made this tweet, which felt pretty clever at the time: dude who announced the Higgs Boson in an unfashionable font knows how women … Read morein which I exhibit sexism in the same tweet that I complain about it