This post originated from an RSS feed registered with Agile Buzz by James Robertson. Original Post: Smalltalk, 3rd generation Feed Title: Michael Lucas-Smith Feed URL: http://www.michaellucassmith.com/site.atom Feed Description: Smalltalk and my misinterpretations of life Latest Agile Buzz Posts Latest Agile Buzz Posts by James Robertson Latest Posts From Michael Lucas-Smith

I'm not talking about the technology, I'm talking about the people. At Smalltalk Solutions today it was clear that the 2nd generation of Smalltalkers have taken charge and suceeded the first generation. Who were the first generation? They were people like Alan Kay.

The second generation is a much larger generation as you would expect. The second generation used the language, explored the language, put the language in to its own perspective. These are the people like Sam Schuster and Alan Knight (and many many more).

I'm of the third generation. My life is easy because the 2nd generation has done nearly everything for me. Everything, that is, except to continue evolving as time has gone on. That's our burden - to compete in a new generation of technology. Thankfully the first generation of smalltalkers laid foundations that do not falter or break under the weight of three generations of development.

The 2nd generation Smalltalkers are and have learnt that they're on their own now. They are the ones who have to stand up and wave the flag and if I hear correctly, previous years were the years when they discovered that the first generation wasn't going to say "There there, it'll all be alright". Now they had to do the work for themselves.

Without a doubt, the 2nd generation of Smalltalkers has taken the challenge to heart in the last few years and this is important to help redefine the industry for us 3rd generationers. One day I'm going to blink too long and it'll be my generation that is in charge. That'll be a scary day.