1027: The Rise of the Design Engineer

Scott and Wes tackle your questions on the rise of the design engineer, why AI still lacks “taste” (and why it’s about more than just looks), and how to actually write tests in the age of AI-assisted coding. Plus: is AI a bubble about to burst, keeping coding agents efficient in massive codebases, introducing kids to AI, a Linux life update, and more!

Show Notes

• 00:00 Welcome to Syntax!
• 01:18 The Rise of the Design Engineer Role
• 08:39 Why AI Has No Taste: It’s Not Just How It Looks
• 14:28 Brought to you by Sentry.io
• 14:52 Testing in the AI Era: Are We Using AI to Write Tests?
• 20:09 Is AI a Bubble? Will It Burst?
  • The AI Bubble is Bursting on YouTube
• 24:35 Negative Public Sentiment Towards AI and Data Centers
• 30:16 Update on Scott Using Omarchy and Linux
  • Is The Omarchy Hype Real?
• 38:14 Introducing AI to Kids: A Parent’s Perspective with Dr. Courtney
• 49:34 Getting Hired Without AI Experience: How to Catch Up
• 52:53 Keeping Coding Agents Efficient: Token Usage, Speed, and Accuracy
  • Modem.dev Article
  • Fallow Docs
• 57:10 Sick Picks + Shameless Plugs

Sick Picks

• Scott: Kitchen Sink Brush
• Wes: Magnet Fishing

Shameless Plugs

• Scott: Phases Podcast, Phases Podcast on YouTube

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