GOTO - The Brightest Minds in Tech

Monica Beckwith, a performance engineer at Microsoft and author, joins Kirk Pepperdine, a seasoned Java engineer, to discuss JVM performance advancements since JDK 8. They dive into the importance of experimental design in performance engineering, the role of observability, and the challenges of benchmarking. The duo emphasizes the future reliance on automation and AI, advocating for collaborative approaches across disciplines to tackle distributed system complexities, while sharing insights from their experiences and research.

Join Sam Newman, a microservices expert and author known for his work on resilient distributed systems, and Julian Wood, a Serverless Developer Advocate at AWS. They dive into the intricate world of software architecture, discussing the importance of clear communication styles, such as event-driven versus request-response. The conversation highlights the value of architectural decision records for collaboration. They also examine AI's role in code understanding, stressing that while AI can assist, critical thinking remains essential in navigating today's complex systems.

Diana Montalion, a Systems Architect and founder of Mentrix, discusses her new book on systems thinking, emphasizing collaboration over traditional linear problem-solving. Andrew Harmel-Law, a Technical Principal at Thoughtworks, highlights how systems thinking can transform software development and organizational dynamics. They explore the impact of interconnectedness on decision-making and stress the importance of collective awareness in teams. The duo also teases an upcoming workshop aimed at deepening understanding of systems architecture.

Signe Simonsen, a former Danish army captain and founder of Race for Oceans, shares her inspiring journey into environmental advocacy. She discusses how her military background fuels her mission to combat plastic pollution using innovative AI-driven technology like drones and robots. The conversation highlights the journey of plastic pellets from factories to beaches, emphasizing the need for effective clean-up solutions. Signe calls for public awareness and collaboration to create lasting impacts on ocean health, aiming for a cleaner future for generations to come.

Alistair Cockburn, co-author of the "Manifesto for Agile Software Development," teams up with Aino Vonge Corry, a retrospectives facilitator and author, to discuss AI's sweeping effects on the Agile landscape. They explore the balance between AI and job displacement, advocating for adaptability in a changing workforce. Alistair, describing himself as a 'presentologist,' emphasizes the importance of current insights over predictions. The duo also reflects on Denmark's unique approach to happiness and economic resilience amidst global challenges.

In this discussion, Charity Majors, CTO of Honeycomb and co-author of "Observability Engineering," teams up with James Lewis, a seasoned software architect at Thoughtworks. They dive into the evolution of observability, highlighting its shift to a critical aspect of software engineering. The pair emphasizes the significance of curiosity in debugging microservices and the role of canonical logs for enhanced analysis. They advocate for a democratized approach to observability, calling for continuous engagement with metrics to streamline complexity in software development.

Cassidy Williams, Senior Director of Developer Advocacy at GitHub, and Ben Hong, Staff Developer Experience Engineer at Pandan Studio, dive into how aesthetics can enhance productivity in coding. They explore the impact of tool design, from customized keyboards to note-taking apps like Obsidian and Notion. Their discussion highlights the role of AI tools like GitHub Copilot in boosting efficiency while stressing the importance of maintaining creativity and personal touch in programming. The blend of functionality and aesthetics is celebrated as essential for innovation.

Maciej «MJ» Jedrzejewski, a tech agnostic architect and author of "Master Software Architecture," joins Artur Skowroński, head of Java & Kotlin Engineering at VirtusLab. They dive into the evolution of software architecture, reflecting on the humorous challenges of early computing with Atari. The duo critiques modern trends like microservices and serverless computing, discussing their limitations. They also explore self-publishing and highlight essential readings for architects, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in software practices.

In this engaging discussion, Susanne Kaiser, an independent tech consultant and author of "Architecture for Flow," teams up with James Lewis, a director at Thoughtworks. They delve into the transformative power of Wardley mapping and domain-driven design for optimizing organizational flow. Topics include practical strategies for eliminating barriers to value delivery, enhancing team effectiveness, and overcoming complexity in software development. The duo also shares innovative techniques like breakable toys to promote learning and drive collaboration.

Join Sheen Brisals, an AWS Serverless Hero and co-author, alongside software engineer Luke Hedger, as they dive into the world of serverless development. They discuss the growing adoption of serverless architecture in enterprises, emphasizing the need for foundational knowledge and effective cost management. The duo shares practical advice on starting small and the significance of community resources for continuous learning. Their insights on overcoming misconceptions and the future of serverless technology make for an enlightening conversation.