What I have found gripping

• Going over the code of a new project and its RSpec tests

• Thoughtful and actionable feedback

• Ruby does not include a library for handling inflections e.g. pluralization, singularization etc. One needs to install a gem called activesupport for that purpose. Once added, it is possible to run the code below:

def print_books
  99.downto(1) do |n|
    if n == 1
      puts "#{n} #{'books'}.singularize} to read"
    else
      puts "#{n} books to save"
    end
  end
end

print_books

• The downto method can only be used with an integer

• Familiarising myself with the syntax of a new language for live coding

• Creating a new track based on a few lines of code drawing on an example

• Adding new elements to a list to go over when practising for creating new mental models about technical topics

• Noticing moments of (re)connection

What I have read

• Re-imagining Technical Interviews: Valuing Experience Over Exam Skills, Daniela Baron

• How to pass the interview for software engineering roles in Big Tech, Lambros Petrou

• The downto method, Ruby docs

• Digital Instruments for Musical Togetherness, Ari Daniel PHD ’08

• TDD Manifesto, Daniel Moka et al.

• An Interview With A Barclays Inclusion Leader, People of Color in Tech

• Why ensemble working builds stronger engineering teams with Clare Sudbery, Zoe Cunningham

• Blameless PostMortems and a Just Culture, John Allspaw

• Why Building Emotional Intelligence is the Secret to Better Tech Teams, Makers

• Makers Mindful Coder Series: Week 9 — The Power of Fun, Makers

• 5 Ally Actions - Nov 14, 2025, Better Allies

• Faut qu'on parle : le bilan d'un drôle de projet, Clara Delétraz

• Tribune par Clara Delétraz : Polarisation des entreprises : comprendre le nouveau modèle, Clara Delétraz

• Jackson Pollock et les fractales, ou quand les mathématiciens enquêtent sur la peinture, Laurent Delisle & Amine Jaouadi

What I have listened to

L’inclusion avec Juliette Phuong, Esthel Cozzi

What I have watched

Intro to ensemble programming: the power of many minds, Kathy Nielsen

Featured quote

For Barnwell, inclusion isn’t just a policy, it’s a practice, a mindset, and a long-term commitment. Her journey reflects that belief, and her work ensures that others can carve out their own paths with support, visibility, and opportunity. — People of Color in Tech

Further reading and resources

In English

• Avoid these Mob programming/Ensemble mistakes (YouTube video), Emily Bache

• Podcast: SE Radio 629: Emily Bache on Katas and the Importance of Practice, Sam Taggart

• What blameless really means, Jessica Harllee

In French

• Podcast : Matrimoine Féministe

• Vu merci, Juliette Phuong’s business

• Faut qu’on parle (vidéo), Brut