CoRecursive: Coding Stories

Coding in the Red-Queen Era

What do we risk when we let AI do the heavy lifting in our coding? Are we giving up the thinking that makes us good at what we do? And as expectations keep rising to match productivy gains, is all this speed really helping, or just making us busier?   Today, let's look at the tradeoffs of coding with AI and why the hardest part might be deciding what to hold onto, and what to let go. Episode Page Support The Show Subscribe To The Podcast Join The Newsletter  

When AI Codes, What’s Left for me?

I’ve always found meaning—and a lot of strength—in building things. Now, with AI coding agents changing the way we work, it’s easy to feel threatened, like something essential might get taken away. But honestly, that creative urge can’t be replaced by any tool. In this episode, I talk about what it’s like when your identity is tied to making things, and the tools suddenly change. Episode Page Support The Show Subscribe To The Podcast Join The Newsletter  

Story: Coding Through Chaos : Addiction, Recovery and Acceptance

What if your search for connection took you somewhere you never meant to go—almost costing you everything? John Walker grew up building computers and exploring early internet forums, always looking for a place to fit in. As a teenager, he hacked his school network and spent hours on IRC, but loneliness crept in. Drugs became a fun exploration and a social experiment. But soon, addiction pulled him into homelessness and jail. Even at his lowest, John turned to online communities. He ran IRC bots to keep recovery chatrooms safe from trolls and built scrapers to solve tough data problems at work. These technical challenges gave him a reason to keep going, even when face-to-face life felt impossible.  But the real turning point came when John stopped trying to hide his differences.   How do you rebuild when you feel like an outsider? Episode Page Support The Show Subscribe To The Podcast Join The Newsletter  

Story: The Power of Context: Reimagining Learning

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where learning felt like an uphill battle? Like no matter how hard you tried, the pieces just wouldn't fall into place?   Steve Krouse's story shows the power of the right learning environment. As a child, Steve felt he wasn't good at math. But everything changed with an afterschool program called IMACS. Initially skeptical, he soon embraced its creative approach, which encouraged self-paced learning.  At IMACS, Steve learned to think on paper, grasping math concepts through programming languages like Logo and Scheme. This confidence moved him from remedial to advanced math, sparking a love for programming and education.  Frustrated with traditional schooling, Steve dropped out of college to create engaging learning experiences for kids. His efforts led to tools like woof.js and the founding of Val Town, making programming accessible and collaborative.  Join us as we explore Steve's journey, revealing how innovative educational environments can unlock potential and transform identities. Episode Page Support The Show Subscribe To The Podcast Join The Newsletter  

Story: briffa_sep98_e.pro - The File That Sparked a Storm

  Can a single line of code change the way we see science, policy, and trust?   In this episode we explore the "Climategate" scandal that erupted from leaked emails and code snippets, fueling doubts about climate science. What starts as an investigation into accusations of fraud leads to an unexpected journey through the messy reality of data science, legacy code struggles, and the complex pressures scientists face every day.   Along the way, we uncover stories of hidden errors and misunderstood phrases taken out of context, revealing a world where science, software engineering, and human complexity intertwine. This story doesn't just challenge assumptions—it shows the power and importance of transparency in science and technology.   Join Adam as he digs deep into Climategate, uncovering what really happened when code got thrust into the spotlight, and what it means for trust, truth, and open science. Episode Page Support The Show Subscribe To The Podcast Join The Newsletter