An Introduction to Elepath

We’ve been programming humans for millennia, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that children grew up programming computers. This allowed them to grasp metaphorically the nature of leadership, which requires distilling principles into concise language. The writers of the Ten Commandments, The American Constitution, and The HP Way understood this. They codified abstract ideas into plain language, giving countless individuals the chance to interoperate on a scale they otherwise couldn’t.

Elepath is a young company. We don’t know what we are, yet, so there’s not much to write down. But there are a few principles I think are relevant to the modern practice of software development. In the company’s early days, these principles will focus us on building trust and momentum as a company of software developers:

Improvisation

Great ideas erupt constantly from the subconscious, and should be implemented, not explained. When this happens in a group, it’s like a band jamming and producing something amazing that no individual could have predicted. When you blurt out something stupid, I will Yes, and… you.

Evolution

For software to have significant cultural impact, its builders must have the discipline to develop incrementally. Human-directed growth is a conscious walk through a space of possibilities. By starting humbly and iterating persistently, we will discover something truly great.

Symbiosis

The word for computer programs that thrive through parasitic relationships with their environment is virus. A website engineered to deplete human willpower and create addicts is nothing to be proud of — even if a billion people use it. To make great software, we must honor our users, creating mutual profit. To make great software is to make people’s lives better.

If this sounds interesting, please introduce yourself! I'd love to meet you.

Founder, Elepath
December 16th, 2011