This document discusses the "Racist Developer Syndrome" and uses a fictional scenario to illustrate how well-intentioned developers can end up creating offensive or problematic applications if they do not properly consider the implications of their design decisions. In the scenario, a developer is approached with requests to add increasingly questionable and stereotypical features to a game involving animals like a cat, dog, and robot. By the end, they are asked to create a "Killing Cat Robot." The document argues for an approach of "composition over inheritance" and designing based on capabilities rather than identity to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

1. THE RACIST DEVELOPER
SYNDROME
DESIGN TALKS #1

2. DESIGN TALK #1 DEC 2017
DISCLAIMER
▸ Events and names in this presentation may sounds very
familiar and it’s meant to be that way.
▸ This talk may drive you angry/crazy and well, it’s also meant
to be that way.
▸ This talk is designed to be interactive and you do not have
the right to remain silent :D
▸ Bring your laptop you may need it.
▸ I strongly appreciate your critical feedback.

3. WE NEED TO MAKE A VERY
SMALL CHANGE!
Anonymous product team member(Gohary)
DESIGN TALKS DEC 2017

4. SCENE1

5. WE NEED YOUR HELP!
WE ARE MAKING A NEW GAME, WE WILL CALL IT THE RACIST CAT WHAT DO YOU THINK ?
VERY SIMPLE.
WE NEED A CAT CHARACTER THAT WALK, TALKS (IN MEAO LANGUAGE) AND IDENTIFY ITSELF!
HOW CAN I HELP YOU ?
OK LET’S DO IT. SEE YOU TOMORROW!
WATER DISPENSER SCENE
KOOL!
SEE YOU THEN.

7. AFTER
1
WEEK

8. THAT CAT WAS AWESOME.
ACTUALLY IT’S VERY AWESOME THAT WE WANT TO WE WILL EXTEND THE GAME WITH A DOG!
YES, EXACTLY LIKE CAT BUT IT BASICALLY CAN BARK!
AND OH, WE NEED BOTH TO BE ABLE TO WELL…POOP
DOG ?
UMMM… LET ME SEE WHAT I CAN DO ..
SUNNY DAY, POOL-SIDE SCENE
KOOL!
SEE YOU THEN.

10. AFTER
1
WEEK

11. HELLO!
CAN WE CAN ADD A ROBOT ? A ROBOT THAT CUSTOMERS CAN DRIVE ?
OUR USERS DEMAND
FOR KILLER AND CLEANERS ROBOTS .. POOP IS EVERYWHERE..
ROBOT ?!!
BUT I DIDN’T EXPECT THAT WE WILL HAVE A ROBOT.
OK .. I’LL CLEAN THE POOP.
I MEAN DON’T WORRY YOU HAVE YOUR ROBOTS!
STAIRWAY SCENE, SOME SUNDAY!
KOOL!
SEE YOU THEN.YOU ARE THE ONE!

13. 3 MONTHS LATER
THE PLOT TWIST

14. DUDE!
WE NEED KILLING CAT ROBOT!
KILL (*&*^# WHAT ?!
URGENT MEETING: SOME MEETING ROOM!

15. COMPOSITION
OVER INHERITANCE
THE SAVIOR

16. THE SOLUTION
COMPOSITION OVER INHERITANCE
DESIGN FOR CAPABILITY INSTEAD OF IDENTITY
WalkTalkClean
Robot CAT

17. THE SOLUTION
SUPER CAT VS ROBOT CAT

18. HOW TO CODE IT
IN COMPOSITION ?

21. THANK YOU!