The Soul of Software
summary
Argues that code actively constructs social reality, contrasting formalist hierarchies with a hermeneutic, socially negotiated view; cites the stop‑clock illusion to show perception editing, cites a Nature review that says as many as 1 in 100 people have intersex traits, and refers to Facebook’s mood‑manipulation experiment plus priming studies (money reduces helping) to show subtle harms. Claims Ruby and its community embody the hermeneutic approach and urges ethical humility as software increasingly mediates life.
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chapters (7)
- 0:00Introduction and Ruby's legacy
- 3:08Formalist vs hermeneutic schools
- 8:51Reality is socially constructed
- 21:52Software reflects our values
- 31:11Informalism in Ruby and community
- 47:07Responsibility of shaping reality
- 56:53Q&A and closing
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