Documentaries Every Developer Must Watch
As developers, we spend countless hours perfecting our code, learning new languages, and staying up-to-date with the latest technology trends. However, it's also important to step back and appreciate the broader context of our work within the world of technology.
Documentaries offer an excellent opportunity to explore the fascinating stories, ethical dilemmas, and history behind the digital revolution. In this blog post, I'm sharing a selection of documentaries worth watching.
The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz (2014):
This documentary details the life and work of Internet activist Aaron Swartz, who played a key role in developing the web feed format RSS, Markdown, and the social news site Reddit. The film delves into internet freedom, information access, and computer programming ethics.
Code: Debugging the Gender Gap (2015):
This documentary explores the lack of gender diversity in the tech industry and highlights women's efforts to break barriers in the software engineering field. It addresses the importance of creating an inclusive environment in technology.
Revolution OS (2001):
This documentary film chronicles the rise of the open-source software movement, focusing on Linux, GNU, and the open-source community. It offers insights into the philosophy behind open-source development and the impact of these projects on the technology industry.
We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists (2012):
This documentary takes a deep dive into the world of Anonymous, a loosely organized international group of hacktivists. It offers a fascinating look at the power and influence of hacker culture in the digital age.
The Great Hack (2019):
This documentary delves into the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the broader issue of data privacy in the era of social media. It sheds light on the power of data and the potential for its misuse in influencing people's behaviour and decision-making.
Available on Netflix
Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World (2016):
Directed by Werner Herzog, this documentary explores the history, impact, and potential future of the internet. The film features interviews with pioneers of the tech industry and provides thought-provoking insights into the digital revolution.
The Cleaners (2018):
This documentary reveals the hidden world of content moderation on social media platforms. It examines the challenges faced by those responsible for keeping the internet free from harmful content and the ethical dilemmas that arise in the process.
Terms and Conditions May Apply (2013)
This eye-opening documentary delves into the hidden world of digital privacy, exploring the deceptive practices behind online user agreements and privacy policies. Through interviews with experts, whistleblowers, and activists, "Terms and Conditions May Apply" unravels the true extent to which corporations and governments gather and use our personal data, and the implications for our society.
Indie Game: The Movie (2012)
Go behind the scenes of the independent video game industry as this documentary follows the journey of passionate developers striving to create their own unique games. Through intimate interviews and gripping storytelling, "Indie Game: The Movie" reveals the struggles, triumphs, and sacrifices these developers make in pursuit of their dreams, offering an inspiring glimpse into the world of indie game development.
Silicon Cowboys (2016)
"Silicon Cowboys" chronicles the rise and fall of Compaq Computer Corporation, a pioneer in the early days of the personal computer industry. This engaging documentary takes viewers back to the 1980s, when a group of visionary engineers challenged the dominance of IBM and transformed the landscape of technology forever. Witness the birth, triumph, and eventual decline of one of the most influential companies in tech history.
So, if you have no other plans for movie night, consider picking one of these documentaries.
If you know of other great documentaries that haven't been listed here, please share them in the comments.
