Why You Can’t Skip the Fundamentals w/ Henri Helvetica
Whiskey Web and Whatnot · Skill Issue Studios
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Show Notes
This week, Chuck and special guest co-host Aaron Francis talk with Henri Helvetica live from React Miami. They explore the evolving challenges of web performance, why genuine research skills still matter in an AI-driven world, and how developers can stay curious and resilient in a fast-moving industry. Henri shares insights from his React Miami talk, his passion for performance advocacy, and why literacy—both digital and physical—matters more than ever.
In this episode:
- (00:00) - Intro
- (00:54) - Meet Henri Helvetica
- (05:36) - Rum review and rating: Rhum Barbancourt 15
- (12:34) - Why the best JS framework is the one you like
- (14:38) - What makes a good rum?
- (19:33) - Have performance and accessibility been left behind?
- (22:32) - Where Henri’s working now—and how he’s pushing for better performance
- (26:47) - Hot Take: Why modern dev learning paths are hurting growth
- (35:43) - Henri’s advice for junior devs who want to master performance
- (39:05) - How to use AI without sabotaging your future learning
- (43:36) - Henri's passion for running and exercise
- (52:19) - Building and growing Henri's dev running community
- (54:27) - If not tech, what would Henri do instead?
- (55:26) - Plugs
Links
- Rhum Barbancourt 15: https://barbancourt.com/
- React Miami: https://www.reactmiami.com/
- Remix: https://remix.run/
- Ryan Florence: https://x.com/ryanflorence
- Buffalo Trace: https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/
- Pappy Van Winkle: https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/our-brands/van-winkle.html
- Maker's Mark: https://www.makersmark.com/
- Weller: https://www.buffalotracedistillery.com/our-brands/w-l-weller.html
- Ember: https://emberjs.com/
- James Earl Jones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Earl_Jones
- Appleton Estate: https://appletonestate.com/
- Zacapa 23: https://www.zacaparum.com/
- Guillermo Rauch: https://x.com/rauchg
- ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/
- Web.dev: https://web.dev/
- Performance.now(): https://perfnow.nl/
- Couch to 5k: https://c25k.com/
Connect with Henri
- X / Twitter: https://x.com/henrihelvetica
Connect with Chuck and Robbie
- Robbie Wagner: https://x.com/RobbieTheWagner
- Chuck Carpenter: https://x.com/CharlesWthe3rd
Subscribe and stay in touch
- Website: https://whiskey.fm
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whiskey-web-and-whatnot/id1552776603
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/19jiuHAqzeKnkleQUpZxDf
- Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1552776603
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhiskeyWebAndWhatnot
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