Don't Take the Black Pill - Andrew Kelley | SSW 2026

Abstract: In our modern world, it's easy to feel like things are careening out of control; that the future is happening to us while we take a back seat... and all we can do is lie down and rot. I'm here to say, screw that! Let's apply systems thinking to the way that software and technology is integrated into our society, envision it differently, and then draw a line from here to there, identifying steps we can take right now along this trajectory. This talk will be passionate and heartfelt, provocative, and entertaining; it will offer the audience optimism, solidarity, and purpose in the chaotic socio-technological climate that we face. --- Zig: https://ziglang.org/ Andrew Kelley: https://andrewkelley.me/ Software Should Work: https://softwareshould.work Thank you to our Software Should Work 2026 sponsors: Antithesis: https://antithesis.com/ RWX: https://www.rwx.com/ Paytient: https://www.paytient.com/ Redbud VC: https://redbud.vc/ ParadeDB: https://www.paradedb.com/