Guerilla Programming - Survive and Thrive in Hostile Tech Environments

As crafters and agile practitioners, we can see the utopia that tech could be - freedom, cooperation, experimentation, fulfillment, sustainable pace and even fun. But for many of us, the reality is far from that: crunch culture, estimates turned into commitments, micromanagement and burnout. If you've ever felt powerless against bad management, toxic work culture, or the creeping sensation that you are being exploited, this talk is for you. Drawing from personal experience, I'll share 12 concrete, field-tested tactics for surviving and even thrive in a hostile work environment. You'll learn how to reclaim control over your time and energy, build alliances, push back against exploitation, and find solidarity through unions and tech collectives. Because whether we like it or not, we are part of a struggle. Ethical resistance isn’t just possible, it’s necessary. Sometimes, it can even boost your career. This is a talk for anyone who refuses to be chewed up and spat out by the machine. Let's fight smarter, stay sane and build the future of tech on our own terms. Join the guerilla !

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