My payment agent is named George, not stripe-agent
4 days ago
- #AI-development
- #software-ethics
- #human-centric-design
- The author names AI sub-agents after inspiring figures (e.g., George, Agatha, Ray, Helen) to maintain focus on human-centric problem-solving.
- George is named after George Washington Carver, symbolizing transforming simple inputs into sustainable value, akin to a good payment system.
- Ray is named after Ray Eames, emphasizing design that serves human needs, not just aesthetics.
- Agatha is named after Agatha Christie, focusing on security audits to find overlooked vulnerabilities.
- Helen is named after Helen Keller, dedicated to accessibility, ensuring software is usable by all.
- Naming agents after real people shapes intent and keeps the focus on serving human needs rather than abstract goals.
- The practice helps the author avoid industry abstractions that dehumanize users (e.g., 'MAUs,' 'pain points').
- Invoking multiple agents (e.g., Helen and Ada) ensures balanced perspectives, such as performance vs. accessibility.
- The author views software as a medium for solving human problems, not an end in itself.
- This naming ritual reinforces the purpose of the work: serving people, not just writing code.