SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted podcast, host Brittany Ellich and co-hosts Erika, Bethany, and Jonathan Tamsut engage in a conversation with Annie Sexton, a developer advocate at fly.io. They explore Annie's unique journey into developer advocacy, her approach to education and community building, and the importance of teaching techniques in the tech industry. The discussion also delves into the role of AI in learning and development, as well as personal interests outside of software engineering, highlighting the multifaceted lives of software professionals.TakeawaysAnnie Sexton transitioned from software engineering to developer advocacy through her passion for education.Developer advocacy involves community building, education, and marketing to developers.Education is a powerful tool for building trust with an audience.Asking basic questions is crucial for effective teaching and learning.AI can be a valuable resource for research and learning, but fact-checking is essential.Understanding the audience's knowledge level is key to effective communication.Annie emphasizes the importance of storytelling in education and advocacy.The journey to becoming a developer advocate can be unconventional and varied.Engaging content can attract a wider audience beyond just product promotion.Personal interests and hobbies contribute to a well-rounded life as a software engineer.Linksfly.iofly.io YouTube channelAnnie’s YouTube channelBook: Deep Learning A Visual ApproachBook: A City on MarsShow/Book: The ExpanseBluesky: @anniesexton.comBluesky: for Annie’s comicsTech book club RepoOvercommitted DiscordHostsOvercommitted.devBethany JanosBrittany EllichEggyheadJonathan Tamsut
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Ep. 24 | Software Engineering Ethics and Social Media
SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, Brittany, Erika, and Jonathan delve into the complex relationship between software engineering, social media, and ethics. They explore their personal experiences with social media, the evolution of algorithms, and the monetization strategies that have transformed platforms into profit-driven entities. The conversation highlights the societal impacts of social media, particularly on mental health, and discusses the responsibilities of engineers in creating user-centered designs. They also consider potential regulatory measures, such as profit caps, and the need for a code of ethics in software engineering to mitigate harm.TakeawaysThe promise of social media was to increase social connection.Algorithms have shifted from social interaction to maximizing engagement.Monetization strategies have created a creator economy.Social media platforms often prioritize profit over user well-being.The societal impact of social media is profound and concerning.Engineers have a responsibility to consider the human impact of their work.Regulation may be necessary to address the harms of social media.Profit caps could help redirect funds towards community projects.An information diet can help mitigate negative effects of social media.A code of ethics for software engineers could guide responsible development.LinksVideo: Why everyone is quitting social mediaCareless PeopleInterview on information diet with HerariBill in 1996ACM Code of EthicsTech book club RepoOvercommitted DiscordHostsOvercommitted.devBrittany EllichEggyheadJonathan Tamsut
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Ep. 23 | Mastering Storytelling in Tech
SummaryJoin Bethany, Erika, and Brittany as they dive into the art of storytelling in tech — and discover why your next presentation or documentation doesn't have to be boring! From the visual wizardry of Astro's docs to Julia Evans' beloved wizard zines, this episode explores how great technical communication combines compelling narratives with clear information. Whether you're crafting a lightning talk (like Bethany's upcoming NeoVim presentation at GopherCon!), writing PR descriptions that tell a story, or trying to hook your audience from the very first sentence, you'll learn practical techniques for making complex concepts engaging and accessible. Plus, hear why AI-generated content might be "an act of war" on people's time, discover the power of self-deprecation and visual storytelling, and enjoy a hilarious developer-themed mad libs featuring thrown staplers and flappy outcomes. Perfect for anyone who wants to level up their technical communication game!TakeawaysTechnical storytelling can make complex concepts relatable.Visual elements enhance engagement in documentation and presentations.Approachability is key for technical documentation.Understanding the audience's needs is crucial for effective communication.A strong hook captures attention in presentations.Emotional connections can enhance technical storytelling.Documentation should be clear and scannable for users.Using a glossary can help bridge knowledge gaps in presentations.Empathy towards the audience improves the storytelling experience.AI tools should enhance, not replace, human storytelling.LinksAstro docsJulia EvansGitHub Blog Post: Documentation done right - A developer's guideTech book club RepoOvercommitted DiscordHostsOvercommitted.devBethany JanosBrittany EllichEggyhead
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Ep. 22 | Leveling Up: Gamification in Software Development
SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, the hosts discuss the role of gamification in software development, exploring how it can influence learning, creativity, and project management. They delve into the psychological aspects of fear of failure, the importance of trial and error, and the balance between external and internal motivation. The conversation also touches on the potential trade-offs of gamification and the significance of celebrating efforts within a team culture. The episode concludes with a fun segment where the hosts share their favorite video game characters.TakeawaysGamification can reduce the fear of failure in learning.The Super Mario Effect illustrates how failure can be framed positively.Trial and error is essential in software engineering.Gamification strategies can include sandbox environments and quests.Balancing external and internal motivation is crucial for engagement.Metrics can sometimes misrepresent true productivity and impact.Gamification can lead to unintended consequences if not managed carefully.LinksFeel good productivityTech book club RepoOvercommitted DiscordHostsOvercommitted.devBethany JanosBrittany EllichEggyheadJonathan Tamsut
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Ep. 21 | What the heck is an AI Agent?
SummaryIn this episode of the Overcommitted Podcast, hosts Jonathan, Brittany, and Erika delve into the exciting world of AI agents. They explore the potential of AI agents in software engineering, their functionality, and the challenges of building and categorizing them. The conversation also touches on the future of job searching and personal development through AI, emphasizing the need for a more personalized and effective approach to technology and learning.Takeaways- AI agents represent a new paradigm in problem-solving.- AI agents can offload cognitive tasks.- User experience with AI agents needs to be redefined.- AI agents can be tailored to specific domains for better results.- Defining success metrics is crucial when building AI agents.- Job searching processes are outdated and need innovation.- AI can assist in personal development and career growth.- Customizable search engines could enhance information retrieval.- The role of human bias in hiring processes is significant.LinksBuilding effective agentsBalanced Engineer NewsletterPlausible SchemesEmbedding modelsObsidian CopilotTech book club RepoOvercommitted DiscordHostsOvercommitted.devBrittany EllichEggyheadJonathan Tamsut
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