I listened to an interesting discussion about technology a few days ago and caught myself nodding the head in approval as the technology world leaders talked about their world and then the rest of the world that most of the rest of us happen to live in.
The technology people, and they used the word geeks to describe themselves, feel that they let a lot of people down as they advanced (and continue to advance) rapid fire through generations of computers, games, innovations, applications and series after series of iPods, pads, phones and other communication devices.
One self-described geek said they totally dropped the ball in terms of communicating with the masses. His words were something to the effect that "we invented, boasted, talked about it among ourselves and then turned our attention to the next great thing and handed the explanations and the marketing over to the retail sectors without a second thought about who was going to use it. We left it up to them to explain it to the people. We were more interested in going after the next thing and talking to other geeks. We weren't interested in the public. We didn't care if they needed it, wanted it or could use it in a mass market. Somebody else had to figure that part out."
Spoken like a true inventor.
Another geek involved in the discussion, added that he felt "technology has improved so much. Unfortunately people haven't."
OK, I think there he was referring to intellectual and development capacity and not physical appearance. I mean thanks to steroids and other pharmaceuticals and cosmetic surgeries, a lot of you look much better.
OK, some got a little carried away with the Botox, but you know what I mean. Me, I'm leaving it to Mother Nature to lead me down the path of aging gracefully. So far I'm not a fan of what she's handed out, but it might get better! But I digress.
That led to further discussion about how people in the newer age demographics aren't interested in gathering in groups any more. They tend to think in terms of a gathering through Facebook or other online social networking applications on those aforementioned pods, pads, phones and computers. They could be less than a block away, but insist on communing through a screen rather than a face-to-face greeting, hug or handshake just not interested in each other that much.
"This next generation just isn't as curious as the previous one," one geek noted.
I guess he'd know I don't.
They're apparently content to live half their lives in a virtual world rather than a real one. They want to create a game of playing house, dating or travelling rather than actually doing it. Or if they are doing it, they want to make sure their ubiquitous cell phone pad, pod or laptop is nearby, just in case they need it for comfort. Forget about Linus and the blanket they need their cell phone or they're dead in the water, socially speaking.
Kind of interesting, I thought.
Then the team involved in the discussion turned their attention to the wonderful world of applications as it related to the financial world and how the likes of Goldman-Sachs were able to snare, scheme and scam the daylights out of the unsuspecting investment community by using devices that included technological marvels that they once again admitted they had neglected to inform the general public about once they were launched.
In other words, the geeks could have helped the banking and investment community regulators prevent these scams from happening, but they weren't interested in that part of the game and besides, nobody asked them to help. So the world sunk into a recession and nobody but a dozen greedy bankers were to blame.
OK, when I left you two weeks ago, I was seeking the soon-to-be-vacated Governor General's job. I asked for your support. I didn't get it. Now I know how Michael Ignatieff and Jack Layton feel. It's not nice being rejected, especially if you're not a politician.
Actually, there was one supporter a guy from Regina who was nice enough to let me know he would lend his support to my cause. And I know that if it came right down to the wire in a make-or-break scenario, I could kinda count on the support of my fellow journalists here at Ye Olde Mercurye Chad, Brad and Cheyenne. Ooops, they just informed me that I should not take their votes for granted. So much for professional loyalty. Boy, are they doing to get a steaming e-mail from me!
The new Governor General has still not been appointed, so if you'd really like to see NKP get the job, vote now at normpark@estevanmercury.ca
If not, then he'll be rehearsing for the next Canadian Idol competition and you certainly don't want that to happen do you?
