Don’t pave the path used by the unhappy cows

A powerful warning against using technology to fix cultural problems in organizations, illustrated through the 'unhappy cows' metaphor by former Etsy CTO Kellan Elliott-McCrea. The article argues that while you can support your culture with technology, you cannot solve cultural problems through technical solutions alone. If teams don't respect each other and can't communicate, implementing microservices architecture won't solve the problem—it will entrench dysfunction deeper into your code where it's harder to fix. Conversely, if you have a culture that values transparency and inclusion, building tools that make positive behaviors easier creates beneficial feedback loops. The key insight: 'Pave the cow paths, just don't pave the paths used by the unhappy cows.' This means supporting existing positive cultural patterns with technology while avoiding codifying dysfunctional behaviors. Essential reading for leaders tempted to solve organizational problems through architectural changes, reminding us that culture shapes technology choices, not the other way around.