The Error of Our Ways

Explore the complex nature of software failures and their far-reaching implications in this thought-provoking conference talk from GOTO Berlin 2016. Delve into various types of errors, from null pointer exceptions to incorrect deployments, and examine their cascading effects on individuals, businesses, and society. Analyze real-world examples, including the infamous LeftPad incident and Excel spreadsheet errors that impacted economic policies. Investigate the paradox of automation and the unintended consequences of algorithmic decision-making in social media. Gain insights into error handling, unit testing, and the importance of questioning assumptions in software development. Reflect on the philosophical aspects of software reliability and the responsibility programmers bear in an increasingly digital world.