All Those Letters That You Do

I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on the Dead Code podcast with Jared Norman, where we dove into the fascinating world of building communities and fostering growth within the Ruby ecosystem. Reflecting on my journey, which began with Ruby on Rails back in 2006, I couldn’t help but appreciate how much the landscape has evolved, and yet, how much remains rooted in the same values of collaboration, learning, and inclusivity.

Back in the day, the Ruby community was vibrant and full of energy—something I hadn’t encountered before in my previous experiences, especially coming from a .NET background. The community wasn’t just about coding; it was about building something together. I recall my first RubyConf in 2007, where I connected with folks who would go on to found companies like GitHub. It was a time of innovation, experimentation, and growth, where everyone was eager to contribute and share.

Fast forward to today, the community has aged, but the enthusiasm remains. What stands out most is the ongoing need to nurture new talent. At Flagrant, the consultancy I run, we’ve made it a point to bring on junior developers regularly. It’s not just about filling roles—it’s about fostering a new generation of developers who bring fresh perspectives and ideas. I believe we, as a community, need to create more opportunities for people early in their careers. After all, today’s juniors are tomorrow’s seniors.

This philosophy extends to organizing events like Madison+ Ruby. Originally inspired by attending Scottish RubyConf, Madison+ Ruby has always been more than just a Ruby conference. It’s about curating a diverse range of topics and speakers—because programming is as much about the human experience as it is about code. Whether it’s technical deep dives or talks on broader subjects like communication and accessibility, the goal is to present a rich tapestry of experiences and insights that resonate with the Ruby community and beyond.

One thing that really resonates with me is the idea of stepping up where needed. The Ruby community thrives because individuals take the initiative, whether it’s running a conference or mentoring a junior developer. We have an incredible variety of voices and perspectives in our community, and it’s essential to continue supporting and amplifying them.

As we look ahead, I’m excited about the future of Ruby and the communities we’re building. There’s a lot of work to be done, but with the right mix of experience, enthusiasm, and willingness to step up, we can continue to grow, innovate, and make a lasting impact.

Listen to the Dead Code episode “All Those Letters That You Do (with Jim Remsik)” hosted by Jared Norman here.

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