The Force is Strong💪 in Software Development

Photo by Brian McGowan @sushioutlaw on Unsplash

On Star Wars Day The Secret Developer tackles an area that troubles all software engineer Jedi Knights. The truth is clear: Fear is the path to the dark side and we should tackle this silent yet formidable enemy when we work to become the best software developer over time.

The Phantom Menace: Fear of New Technologies

The Phantom Menace represents a technological disappointment for Star Wars fans. A direct prequel to the beloved Star Wars trilogy the movie added CGI technology that seems overused and of poor quality. Fans of the franchise panicked and some indicated they would never watch a Star Wars Movie again.

If you think this behavior is divorced from software developers you only need to look at the emergence of AI. The panic from Google and individual developers who fear for their jobs (often without doing anything about it) is real.

The choice to embrace or reject these changes can set the course of a career toward innovation or stagnation and many developers choose the latter to their own (and the industries) detriment.

The Original Trilogy: Judgmental Habits

For many, only the Original Star Wars trilogy captures the essence of cinematic magic, with any subsequent films seen as unworthy successors, supposedly diluted to cater to younger audiences. Yet, this view overlooks a critical irony: those who cherished the original “kid’s movies” as children now dismiss new additions for being exactly that — aimed at kids.

Software developers are not immune from those judgmental and illogical attitudes. This can mean less experienced developers are judged on their years of experience rather than competency perhaps, because of the fear that senior developers will be usurped by new entrants into the field. Other developers are simply quick to judge and slow to evaluate the impact of their actions, usually through fear of looking inadequate themselves.

Solutions: Build Resilience Against Fear

In the face of rapid technological change, resilience is our greatest asset. Being open to learning, willing to fail, and ready to adapt are qualities that strengthen us, much like the Force strengthens a Jedi. By fostering a culture of curiosity and lifelong learning, we can turn fear into a motivator, pushing us to explore new horizons and boldly go where we might not have dared to go before.

Conclusion

As developers, we have a choice. We can let fear of the new and unknown lead us down a path to the dark side, or we can embrace it, learning and growing with each challenge. By choosing the latter, we ensure that our careers, like the stories of our favorite Star Wars heroes, are marked by courage, growth, and ultimately, triumph over the dark side.