Elm Town Elm Town 88 – Wonder: Unconscious bias with Felienne Hermans
Dec 16, 2025
Felienne Hermans, a professor of computer science education and the creator of the Hedy programming language, explores the nuances of programming culture. She reveals her personal journey through computing, discussing biases in language design that affect inclusivity. Felienne highlights the importance of community support in overcoming misconceptions and the impact of localization on programming education. The conversation also touches on the implications of AI on attention and the value of deep reading in today's tech-driven world.
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Hooked On Creation As A Child
- Felienne traces her early programming spark to a DOS-era home computer and tinkering with games like gorillas.bas.
- A high-school computer club and parental advice steered her toward computing as a practical career.
Culture Values Challenge Over Gifts
- Felienne argues mainstream programming culture prizes challenge over creating gifts for others.
- That value system narrows how people see programming and can stifle creative, people-focused work.
One Kid Uncovered A Big Bias
- A 12-year-old asked Felienne why Hedy wasn't in Dutch, revealing an unexamined English-first bias.
- That single comment prompted her to add localization and rethink language assumptions.