Taylor Swift as programming languages/formal methods techniques, a thread.

Let's start with strong static type systems: may not be the most flirty, but you get some nice guarantees about things that can never, ever, ever happen.

Static analyses: they tell you all the problems your program might have, but don't usually tell you how to solve them.

Theorem provers: they promise to be so fun to use and to help you make sure nothing can ever go wrong in your programs, but in reality can be pretty high maintenance.

Fuzzers: help you realize that your app is a dumpster fire and leave you to sort through the wreckage.

Dynamic type-checking: like that sweet girl next door who seems to be there when you need her, asking if you're okay.

But like that girl who you have only talked to through window signs, it's not clear that she's actually going to be there for you when you really have a problem.

Dependent types: so fun; so hip. But be careful. Go overboard and they can make your head hurt!

All of programming languages and formal methods research:

"We may not always get credit, but we're always right." - @mattmight