This morning, I awoke to a rather ominous tone, with my social media feed flooded with messages of despair. Many in my social circle seemed shocked by what appears to be the reelection of a figure who embodies the very opposite of what we envision in a leader. Amid this discontent, a few voices celebrated the outcome; I can understand why, yet I can’t shake off the fear. I am among those who feel uncertain, less than optimistic, about what the next four years may hold on the global stage.
The Role of Technology in Democracy
In all of this, I have sought to understand what has happened, and I can only do this within the frame of my day-to-day life as a software engineer. While countless factors can determine an election, the dissemination of information has undeniably become integral to our democratic processes. This, at its core, is what defines our role as Software Engineers. All of us, programmers and engineers alike, seek to build systems that enable society to communicate, transact, and thrive. In so doing, we have the ability to determine who gets what and when. This, by nature, gives us so much power.
The Power of Code
“Code is power. Anyone who seeks to follow this path needs to know that they are acquiring a profound gift, one that should be guarded jealously and only used for the betterment of humanity.”
If this notion seems too far-fetched, consider the effort put into buying Twitter. At its core, Twitter is just lines of code, yet the impact it had on this election cycle alone is immeasurable.
A Call to Ethical Engineering
Whatever you do, whether you are a seasoned professional or one who is just starting out, avoid working on anything that by nature counteracts good in humanity.