“What do you do?”

It’s a frequent first question asked at parties, networking events, and bad dates. And sadly, the answer often includes the word “just”.

Perhaps a more interesting question is, “Who are you?”. But, how do you answer? Often, our identity is dominated by our professional image. However, even those that “live to work” have other facets which may contain hidden value.

In this session, Damian uses humor, improv, personal stories, and more to examine our identities, explore our interests, and find inspiration from unexpected sources. Join him to laugh, learn, and “unjust yourself” as you rediscover Who You Are!

About 1 year ago, I began speaking professionally. About 3 years ago, I began speaking at conferences. About 40 years ago, I began speaking.

In this informal, educational, and enjoyable session, I will offer lessons learned from a lifetime of talking. I will share, and we will discuss (among other things):

Why – I began speaking at conferences, and why you might, too.
What – topics I select, and which might work for you.
How – I create a talk, and how you develop ideas.

Come prepared to ask and answer questions as we collaboratively converse, and “talk about talking”!

The way we feel is important!

All that we think, do, or say is influenced, to some degree, by emotions. Many successful businesses and people recognize the importance of emotional considerations.

The way we feel is important and should be considered!

All software is intended to help solve some problem, and both problems and solutions evoke emotions. Software requirements are simply wants or needs, which often stem from core emotions. Research shows that emotions can affect the acceptance or rejection of software.

The way we feel about software is important and should be considered!

A placebo is designed and used primarily to evoke emotions. Things like sugar pills, false elevator door close buttons, and fake office thermostats aim “to please”, rather than have any other physical effects. Placebo requirements focus on emotions. And so, considering software through the lens of a placebo can help emphasize emotional considerations, and provide a valuable perspective on bugs, ethical design, and much more.

In this session, I support the claims above, suggest some methods to elicit and test emotional requirements, and finally, use placebos as a lens to view software design and testing. Using presentations, demonstrations, and interactive discussions and exercises, we collaboratively explore why “The way we feel about software is important and should be considered!”.

“What do you do?”

It’s a frequent first question asked at parties, networking events, and bad dates. And sadly, the answer often includes the word “just”.

Perhaps a more interesting question is, “Who are you?”. But, how do you answer? Often, our identity is dominated by our professional image. However, even those that “live to work” have other facets which may contain hidden value.

In this session, Damian uses humor, improv, personal stories, and more to examine our identities, explore our interests, and find inspiration from unexpected sources. Join him to laugh, learn, and “unjust yourself” as you rediscover Who You Are!

The way we feel is important!

All that we think, do, or say is influenced, to some degree, by emotions. Many successful businesses and people recognize the importance of emotional considerations.

The way we feel is important and should be considered!

All software is intended to help solve some problem, and both problems and solutions evoke emotions. Software requirements are simply wants or needs, which often stem from core emotions. Research shows that emotions can affect the acceptance or rejection of software.

The way we feel about software is important and should be considered!

A placebo is designed and used primarily to evoke emotions. Things like sugar pills, false elevator door close buttons, and fake office thermostats aim “to please”, rather than have any other physical effects. Placebo requirements focus on emotions. And so, considering software through the lens of a placebo can help emphasize emotional considerations, and provide a valuable perspective on bugs, ethical design, and much more.

In this session, I support the claims above, suggest some methods to elicit and test emotional requirements, and finally, use placebos as a lens to view software design and testing. Using presentations, demonstrations, and interactive discussions and exercises, we collaboratively explore why “The way we feel about software is important and should be considered!”.