For a long time, tech culture has focused too narrowly on technical skills; this has resulted in a tech community that too often puts companies and code over people. Greater Than Code is a podcast that invites the voices of people who are not heard from enough in tech: women, people of color, trans and/or queer folks, to talk about the human side of software development and technology. Greater Than Code is providing a vital platform for these conversations, and developing new ideas of what it means to be a technologist beyond just the code. Featuring an ongoing panel of racially and gender diverse tech panelists, the majority of podcast guests so far have been women in tech! We’ve covered topics including imposter syndrome, mental illness, sexuality, unconscious bias and social justice. We also have a major focus on skill sets that tech too often devalues, like team-building, hiring, community organizing, mentorship and empathy. Each episode also includes a transcript. We have an active Slack community that members can join by pledging as little as $1 per month via Patreon. (https://www.patreon.com/greaterthancode)
Episode 007: Overcoming Adversity and Battling Unconscious Bias with Neem Serra
00:16 – Welcome to Greater Than Code
02:02 – Neem Serra Introduction
Neem Serra: “From Babies to Software Development”
03:23 – 2016 Election Thoughts, Fears, and Aspirations; Importance of Ally Support
Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “The Other America”
14:51 – Overcoming Adversity and Getting Into Science
26:27 – Switching from Science to Programming and Getting a Job
National Society of Black Engineers
33:53 – Volunteering and Being Empathetic and Inclusive
"I feel like most of my job some days is helping people try to be empathetic. Nobody gives me a raise for that."@TeamNeem @greaterthancode
— Jessica Kerr (@jessitron) November 9, 2016
47:36 – Battling Unconscious Bias
55:17 – Programming in Swift
Swift Playgrounds Demo with a Twist
Reflections:
Astrid: Push through.
Jessica: Programming gives you power. Also, we love you, David Brady.
Coraline: Individual actions matter. Be allies to people who are facing discrimination or oppression.
Neem: Small acts of kindness matter.
This episode was brought to you by @therubyrep of DevReps, LLC. To pledge your support and to join our awesome Slack community, visit patreon.com/greaterthancode.
To make a one-time donation so that we can continue to bring you more content and transcripts like this, please do so at paypal.me/devreps. You will also get an invitation to our Slack community this way as well.
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Special Guest: Neem Serra.