In the Long Run We're All Dead: An Economist's Guide to Tech Debt
summary
Argues that tech debt arises from macroeconomic pressure rather than individual incompetence and models it using post‑Keynesian ideas — notably the Minsky instability hypothesis — plus a new definition of technical leverage. Maps organizations to hedge/speculative/Ponzi units (able to pay down, only tread water, or unable to service debt) and shows how competition forces rising risk. Recommends translating engineering costs for investors and collective professional action as practical remedies.
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chapters (14)
- 0:00Introduction
- 2:30Key Concepts
- 3:40Tech Debt
- 4:20The Invisible Hand
- 5:20In the Long Run
- 6:10Types of Leverage
- 7:25Upside Risk
- 8:50Minsky Instability Hypothesis
- 11:45Market Conditions Change
- 13:35Technical Leverage
- 14:20Why do organizations take on Tech Debt
- 16:15Failure
- 17:40Summary
- 19:55Questions
