Elm Town Elm Town 88 – Wonder: Unconscious bias with Felienne Hermans
Dec 16, 2025
Felienne Hermans, a professor of computer science education and the creator of the Hedy programming language, explores the nuances of programming culture. She reveals her personal journey through computing, discussing biases in language design that affect inclusivity. Felienne highlights the importance of community support in overcoming misconceptions and the impact of localization on programming education. The conversation also touches on the implications of AI on attention and the value of deep reading in today's tech-driven world.
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Mindset Shift Requires A New Tribe
- Changing your mind forces you to disagree with your prior self and can be painful.
- Felienne Hermans compares finding a new tribe as essential for conceptual change.
Hooked On Creation As A Child
- Felienne traces her early programming spark to a DOS-era home computer and tinkering with games like gorillas.bas.
- A high-school computer club and parental advice steered her toward computing as a practical career.
Culture Values Challenge Over Gifts
- Felienne argues mainstream programming culture prizes challenge over creating gifts for others.
- That value system narrows how people see programming and can stifle creative, people-focused work.