The Timeless Wisdom of Go: A Call for Humility in Software Engineering

Programming languages evolve like the software they power, yet some leave a unique imprint on the industry. Go, developed by a group at Google in 2007, embodies a spirit that contrasts sharply with the modern programmer’s persona, a persona increasingly marred by inflated egos and a distracting emphasis on personal brand.

A Journey Back to Humility

Today’s software engineers—many of whom view themselves as modern-day creatives—often parade their accomplishments through flashy personal websites and ostentatious job titles. We see names like “ex-Amazon-engineer-investor-author” that signal their multifaceted identities. I confess, I sometimes indulge in this behavior too, crafting my own side projects with whimsical names like “Nabokov”.

Yet, for all their creativity, there is a pervasive self-satisfaction among my peers that feels out of step with the ethos that birthed Go. In an era characterized by smaller egos and less commercial ambition, its creators knew the importance of functionality and clarity. Go isn’t just about the individual; it’s about the community—the very backbone of programming.

Go’s design prioritizes simplicity and efficiency.

The Legacy of Go’s Founders

The founding trio behind Go—Ken Thompson, Rob Pike, and Robert Griesemer—are legends in programming, akin to cinematic titans like Scorsese and De Niro. When they collectively responded to the hurdles posed by languages like C++ and Java, they reinvented the wheel to better fit a cloud-centric world. The language quickly became a staple due to the unmatched support from Google, but that only scratched the surface of its appeal.

By 2009, when Go first hit the scene, it stood apart from many newer languages which, despite their flash, failed to deliver reliable functionality. I can attest to Go’s power firsthand; my experience rewriting a sluggish Python search tool into Go yielded performance that soared—my little project, once limited, truly took flight.

A Mixed Legacy

No language is without its flaws. Go has been critiqued for its stylistic limitations, with many developers noting an “ugliness” in its uniformity. Error handling, in particular, can be cumbersome—an often-discussed topic among Go programmers. But amidst these critiques, I find a refreshing sense of practicality that evokes the first-generation vehicles’ straightforward designs.

It’s a sobering thought that in the grand narrative of technology, we are still in the early chapters. Alan Turing’s groundbreaking paper laid the foundation less than a century ago, and we now navigate an evolving landscape shaped by pioneers who still contribute to their fields. This context enriches our appreciation for Go’s origins, born from those who faced fewer pressures of public perception and professional bravado.

The simplicity of Go’s design reflects a focus on practical programming.

Learning from Go’s Philosophy

This brings us to what I refer to as a “late style” in programming—a maturity that often evades lesser endeavors. The creators of Go have embraced their closure, projecting an attitude of reconciliation rather than defensiveness against modern critics. Their FAQ page stands out as a testament to their commitment to clarity over noise, answering common concerns with a gentle authority that feels as much philosophical as technical.

If the future of programming lies in healing the rifts caused by inflated egos, Go could be our guide. It isn’t about throwing blind fireworks into the sky; instead, it’s about building a coherent and robust structure in which the community can thrive. There’s something reassuring in knowing that the best practices and lessons can emerge from the hum of simplicity and functionality.

In a world where tech giants engage in public feuds and trumped-up controversies, Go reminds us that true mastery comes not from defending one’s title but from embracing the spirit of progress and humility. As I reflect on my journey in the tech industry, I realize that perhaps it’s time to let go of the ego-driven narratives and instead celebrate and learn from the straightforward beauty of Go.

Final Thoughts

In our hurried quest to invent and innovate, may we cultivate a spirit more aligned with Go—and with that, the enduring hope that my generation and those to come will find value in the wisdom of knotted simplicity. It’s about time we learned to tame our egos and embrace a collective journey of growth, where the essence of programming transcends the individual flair and stands firm on the foundation of collaboration and functionality.