Science or Stories?
summary
Argues that engineering choices usually follow convincing stories and emotion rather than randomized science, citing Semmelweis’s handwashing that cuts maternal deaths by 10x fewer deaths, the president Garfield case where surgeons caused a fatal infection, and drug trials revealing the placebo effect. Notes agile has no double‑blind proof but small studies exist—pair programming experiments and Teresa Amabile’s work showing daily progress drives developers. Recommends running small, cheap experiments, keep diverse teams, and discuss findings over shared meals.
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chapters (7)
- 0:00Start
- 30:06The Placebo Effect
- 34:57Why Do Scientists Keep Changing Their Minds
- 49:56Experiments with Pair Programming
- 51:05The Progress Principle
- 58:55Conclusion
- 1:00:49What Is the Promise that Agile Offers
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