You know, for objects.

active_record_from_hash.rb

require 'active_support/core_ext/hash/keys'

# Intended as an extension for an ActiveRecord model. It allows construction
# of a valid ActiveRecord object from a Hash, including proper handling of
# the :id attribute.
module ActiveRecordFromHash

  def from_hash(hsh)
    hsh = hsh.symbolize_keys
    self.new.tap do |obj|
      # use []= to skip AR setter checks for :id
      obj[:id] = hsh.delete(:id)

      # use regular method setters for all other attributes
      hsh.each do |k,v|
        obj.send(:"#{k}=", v)
      end
    end
  end

end