The Programmer's Oath

Why do we need an oath? Why do we even need a profession? Why can't we just go on being happy-go-lucky programmers for the rest of our days? In this episode we will walk through the history of our profession. From its humble beginnings in the late 1940s, until today. We'll track the growth of our industry; and its relationship to society at large. We'll watch as society's view of programmers grew from shadowy figures behind the scenes, to naive socially inept geeks, to modern day heroes -- and villains. We'll discuss the role we currently play in society; and the unwitting trust that society puts in us. We'll talk about our own ethics, and our own standards, and the risk of continuing on our current path without establishing and enforcing those values. Take care. This episode is not for the faint of heart. There are some tough questions asked here; questions that we shall need answers to in the not too distant future.