The Case Against?

For our first reading discussion: share what you read, argue about the tensions, and post your group's takeaway.

The Readings

For Reading Reflection 1, you chose one of three papers. Each one questions formal methods from a different angle:

• Hoare, How Did Software Get So Reliable Without Proof? (1996)
• Dodds, What Works (and Doesn't) Selling Formal Methods (2025)
• Gabriel, The Rise of Worse Is Better (1991)

Tonight we will discuss these readings in small groups. Try to make sure your group has at least some people who read different papers.

Discussion Protocol

Four rounds, ten minutes each.

Share (10 min)

Each person: which reading you chose, what the core claim is, and your gut reaction.

Some starting points if helpful:

• Has anyone had an experience at work that reminded them of what their author describes?
• Was there a line or idea that surprised you or that you keep thinking about?

Debate (10 min)

Find where you disagree, within your group or with the readings.

Some starting points if helpful:

• Where do the readings disagree with each other? Who do you find most convincing?
• Think about a system you work on. Where would your author say you're doing it right? Where would they say you're wasting effort?
• When you think about your own work, where does correctness actually matter most? Where does it matter least?

If you reach easy consensus: what would the author of one of the other readings say to your group right now?

Converge + Post (10 min)

As a group, decide: what was the sharpest thing you argued about? Where did you land? What's one question you couldn't settle? What do you want the other groups to know?

Post your group's summary to both Ed and Gradescope.

Report-Out (10 min)

Groups share what they found. What couldn't your group settle? Did anyone change their mind?