layout: true <footer> <p class="left">@CraigBuchek</p> <p class="right">craigbuchek.com/stldevfest-2019</p> </footer> --- class: title, middle, center # Community and Purpose ### Craig Buchek --- class: single-image  ??? * I was working on my talk for RubyConf 2014 when I saw this post * I'd met Alex Harms at Ruby Midwest 2011 --- class: single-image  ??? * I grew up a few miles from Ferguson, MO ---- * My parents' house, where I grew up - purple pin in northeast corner * Mike Brown shooting - deep red pin in southeast corner of Ferguson --- class: single-image  ??? * The protests and violence were literally hitting close to home --- class: single-image  ??? * I was glued to the news for a couple weeks * TV and web at the same time * I cried several times that first week * I was sad * I was angry * I felt helpless ---- * I learned a lot * The only difference between me and the rioters was that I was not oppressed * I was a part of the system that supported oppression * So many people were hurting, feeling oppressed --- class: single-image  ??? * I marched in a couple protests * But I didn't feel like I was really making an impact, or using my talents --- class: single-image  ??? * A week after RubyConf, I saw this * Perfect: * It allowed me to apply my experience and skills * It felt like something that could make a difference * It was so compelling - a calling --- class: single-image  ??? * This is Cameron * He was 14 * We were working on WordPress plugins * We showed them a plugin to show sports scores * He asked me how to show just his team --- class: big-words I don't know <br /> Let's find out ??? * My answer was "I don't know, let's find out" * I told him to Google for "WordPress", the name of the plugin, and "one team" * He clicked on the result, and it told him what to do --- class: single-image  ??? * At that moment, I saw the lightbulb go off in his head * He went from near the bottom of the class to near the top * He realized that he could **learn** the skills he needed --- class: big-words I don't know <br /> Let's find out ??? * Probably the 6 most powerful word I've ever spoken in my life * It opened up a whole new world of possibilities for Cameron * It's the most rewarding thing I've ever done * It probably changed my life more than his --- class: big-words Community ??? * We can see a great community here at RubyConf * But don't forget the wider communities we live in * Your neighborhood, your city, your state, your country, your world --- class: big-words Community is where you can _find_ **purpose** ??? * Think about how to can give back to your communities * Because it will give you back more than you give