Many Thoughts
Friday, May 14, 2010 at 11:09AM | in Books, Program or Be Programmed Sorry I haven't been posting very much. Many things going on in my life and professionally that are keeping me on the road and offline.
My backlogged thoughts in no particular order:
I am writing Program or Be Programmed as a book. I will be done soon. Weeks, not months. Recent events in the Facebook and Apple universes have convinced me more than ever that programming is our era's equivalent of literacy. Whether corporations are controlling the direction of technology, or whether technology is an emergent entity doing this on its own, our only option is to participate in its unfolding by participating in its programming.
On the terror front, I do not understand why the Times Square Bomber required funding.
Obama recently told a college audience that they're being distracted by their iPads, and that they need to become aware of who is programming the devices they use. He is right.
I have a busy travel schedule coming up and will do my best to get it posted on this site. I desperately need a redesign and can barter if you are interested.
Next appointment is here. I will be back soon.
Reader Comments (10)
Hi Douglas,
that idea of programming as our era’s equivalent of literacy is really thought-provoking. It inspired me to write down my thoughts on the subject in general.
Thanks for the inspiration! I'm looking forward to reading your book.
5v3n
I'm not sure if you meant it or not, but I thought highlighting your book "Program or Be Programmed" then concluding your post with "I desperately need a redesign and can barter if you are interested." was extremely funny.
Hi Douglas,
I am happy to mock-up a new design of your website. I can pass on the design files to you or to someone to code the website. I will not be able to provide a coded site at this moment.
Let me know if you are still looking for someone! I am happy to help.
Looking forward to reading your book.
Cheers,
Mark
I can program. I can't design. There's understanding, and then there's talent!
In a time when so many otherwise enlightened people are rushing to embrace the iPad and Kindle and the Apple/Amazon "Your an Idiot Consumer" mentality of technology and education, "Program or Be Programmed" is an important idea.
As for Obama, every time he opens his mouth regarding education he makes me want to never vote for him again. Funny, he ask questions about the motives of tech companies (which is quite legitimate) but never about the motives of the hedge fund managers he is selling our public schools to (perhaps marginally even more important).
Sounds great on the new book, Doug! Keep up the thought provoking and forward thinking ideas. You're the one writer in particular who has been very inspiring to me lately.
In regards to the programming/literacy issue, I just stumbled on this very relevant and excellent article by Marc Prensky that backs up what you're saying 100%.
http://www.edutopia.org/programming
delighted that you are writing it as a book. It's sooooo important.
It keeps seeming to me that in American discourse, the elephant in the room is corporate power. Even with the BP disaster, it seems like the conversation rarely widens. Is it because we have literally no mental image of a "corporation" and therefore cannot think it?
Douglas,
I have some open avail this summer, and would be interested in helping you with your redesign. I am open to barter, as I am supportive of your vision.
Email me if you'd like to discuss this.
mc
very interesting, thanks