[Me & X] Are you writing a book on software engineering?
X: Are you writing a book on software engineering?
Me: I'm writing a book on rewilding software engineering.
X: What does that mean?
Me: Well, it would be nice if software engineering was actually an engineering discipline rather than mostly a craft. I'll send you a link.
X: Six chapters?
Me: It's not finished yet.
X: When will it be finished?
Me: Sometime in the future.
X: When?
Me: The first mapping book, I started in 2007. I then started to rewrite in 2013 and then I re-rewrote it in 2016 and I still haven't finished or published it.
X: Why so long?
Me: What's the rush? The mapping work has created its own small industry without me needing to create my own physical book, it has also led to all sorts of spinoff books and concepts. I don't see any difference with Rewilding Software Engineering.
X: Why not use an AI to help?
Me: You're focused on the output (the book). I'm focused on the outcome (understanding). AI is great for output but that is not what is needed or wanted.
Originally published on LinkedIn.