Author Mary Shaw discusses myths and mythconceptions in programming, including the dominance of ill-specified software, the confusion caused by the lack of structure in a paper, and the importance of recognizing limitations in myths. They explore the concept of vernacular software development and its tools, the contributions of vernacular programmers and the capture of their work by commercial entities, and the reality of software engineering. The speakers also touch on gender-neutral terms, the acquisition of knowledge, the varying interpretations of correctness, and the myth of the professional programmer.