I have tried not to rant lately about certain topics that frustrate me to no end. I feel like ranting, while it tends to be really good for venting frustrations, is not a constructive way to approach a problem. So, to that end, I will try to be constructive about presenting these feelings I have been experiencing lately.
There are a couple of behaviors that really bother me. One of them is people who act like they know everything and they always have to be right. Without naming any names, there are plenty of people involved in debates about Microsoft vs. OSS that approach their positions with religious-like fanaticism. This bothers me. Anytime you are blinded by such hatred or pure emotions, you are bound to have facts slip through the cracks. Sometimes, facts don't even matter anymore. This becomes quite obvious when you ask someone why they believe “Microsoft is an evil corporation”, and all they reply with is “Because they are!”. Really? Are, just as bad, they start justifying their position with circular reasoning or false arguments.
Last night, I was engaged in a wonderful conversation with my best friend's roommate. The biggest reason that I say it was a “wonderful” conversation is because he was capable of seeing an argument from both sides. The fact is that I am quite still young. At times, I see myself accelerating quickly toward religious fanaticism and have to force myself to back down and regain a level head. I really appreciate people that can see an argument from both sides and even point out a flaw in your argument (and perhaps explain how to fix the flaw?).
Awhile ago, I shared the quote “The only thing I know is that I know nothing”. As a developer, this is a motto that I try to live by. I guess you could say that my approach to development is more scientific than religious. Meaning, if evidence is presented that proves that my belief is wrong or flawed, I am not going to throw away the evidence just because I like my belief. In the development world, I believe this is an extremely important characteristic to have. Methodologies can shift and change quickly and drastically in our world. If you are not paying attention constructively to what's going on around you, it is likely that you will be swallowed up by a huge crevice only never to see the sky again. What would have happened if all those involved in the COM world would have stuck to their guns and ignored the fact that there were better ways to solve the problems they were trying to solve? What would happen if all OOA developers totally ignored SOA because it was “different” and their way was right?
We developers live in a computer world that is ruled by people who can adapt the quickest to new technologies. Stagnation equals death here. We all have to keep our wits about us if we want to keep our balance with a shifting world underneath us. So remember, when it comes to being a developer, it is vitally important to take a scientific approach rather than a religious one if you want to survive for any length of time in this industry. At any one time, any of us could be proved wrong. The best way to accept this is to be humble and realize that it is possible.
I hope this wasn't too boring. For any of you that got this far, thanks for reading my current thoughts on the Jason Olson Propaganda and Developer Manifesto.
Until next time, this has been Jason Olson and that's the world with .NET (just kidding ::wink, wink::). Ciao!