Fallthrough PHP Was Never Dead
Sep 30, 2025
Kris and Matt dive into a lively GopherCon debrief, contrasting it with RustConf and discussing the community's value. They tackle conference logistics, food issues, and the enduring relevance of PHP in the web ecosystem. The hosts argue about the consequences of corporate conformity on quality and criticize how many programming abstractions still reflect outdated hardware. They also introduce Omarchy, a Linux distro designed for developer efficiency. Mixing humor with sharp insights, this discussion offers a fresh perspective on programming and community engagement.
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Hallway Track Outshines Talks
- Matthew and Kris spent much of GopherCon in the hallway track and at the Challenge Series instead of talks.
- They found in-person meetups and prize giveaways more valuable than many conference sessions.
Venue Shapes Conference Energy
- The Javits Center felt cavernous and poorly matched to the conference scale, hurting atmosphere.
- Single-track talks reduced scheduling friction but didn't create a must-see star talk this year.
Make Talks Spark Conversation
- Add structured community discussion times like Q&A, unconference sessions, or overflow rooms after talks.
- Use these to convert passive talk attendance into active community engagement and follow-up.