Google chief asks grads to turn off computer

Is this you?

There you are sitting down to work in the morning, the system has just about logged you in through password 1, applying settings, mmhm. Waiting. I’ll just get some coffee, say hi to everyone.

Oh there it is, the desktop, my fishing trip, that was a beautiful lake. Here we go, I have an idea that’s about to be gotten down to. Hey, I’m excited to start doing what I do, (it’s a pretty great place to work… ) Bing! New updates are ready to be installed – click here to begin. ... A little message for me, from the system, the computer, whatever.. it needs my attention, to help it along. Isn’t it set up to do these kind of things on auto? I mean, if you need updates, go get ‘em, yes.

If I don’t have those, well, then what? What is updating? Who is out there and what exactly is the improvement that was needed? I’ve been doing pretty much the same tasks all along: writing, imaging, communicating, and it doesn’t seem much faster than it ever was, though I’m not sure my expectations now and then can be compared. It must be faster – it HAS to be, right?

So, I’m going to X-out of that message after all and just get down to business. Of writing, “There you are sitting down to work in the morning… “

Four Good Questions

1. How much time in the day are you using a computer ?

2. Do you use a computer at home?

3. What are some jobs that don’t require a computer? Do people who don’t work with a computer have a different relationship with them?

4. Can you do what you do, without a computer ?

I can’t. It’s pretty much all on computer, or could be. I find ways to be away from it, but must inevitably return. It is the daily companion, mediating my every move. Do you like being forced to go online? Forced, as our students now are, to register online? I don’t think anyone wants to forced to do anything, but we have to accept it to do business.

Star Trek was created in the 60's.

Yes it was. Now that I've stated the obvious, let's think about how long ago that was: goin' on 50 years. Floored.

In the TED talk I beamed in biking home, Mae Jemison said the technologies we enjoy today are at least that old, and we're pretty much coasting on them. Is innovation lacking? When you attain a level of comfort and entertainment, it's hard not to be content with channel surfing the same spark and glow.

Will we still be happy with the same thrills in another 50 years?

Old Trek 24/7

Right Now

Sprint Corp. has created an interesting site that monitors the moment from multiple angles. Worth a quick look.

Your Computer is Your Car

Do you talk to your automobile? Maybe it needs gentle coaxing up certain hills, or a dash-rub on cold mornings. Chances are it has a name, and when it breaks down, even after a few compulsory curses, you feel sympathy and even empathy for this machine whom you rely on for so much.

Does your computer receive the same treatment when it goes blue screen on you? Certainly the cursing part, right!? If you feel frustration at all the mad things that happen over technology, maybe thinking of your computer as an imperfect beast of burden could help ease the rage.

Usually our relationship with our machine is like that between two embittered co-workers instead of trusted colleagues working toward the same goals. I know I don't want to spend much of my day in front a rival; if my computer is acting uppity, perhaps it needs a little love. While you may call this geek-emo, compassionate computing just might save my computer from a bullet-hole in the hard drive.

*photo courtesy Peter Barker, Flikr

Data Planting

Kevin Kelly is a unique thinker. Thanks to his site for this photo and his thoughts on technology and it's relationship with life.

My Assignment

It is funny how you get hooked into these digital imperitives.
You must now update.

HP just had me run a job:
Update peripherals, stat.
I click on the Next, next next. Just keep clicking Next. Ok Install.
And watch it roll
Waitin patiently in the hole
Watching the progress bar go by
bye bye

MAY DAY MAY DAY

TGIF at Yavapai College means, "Time Gawking Isn't Fun". Gawking into the computer screen, waiting, ever waiting, for it to be ready. The rapid clicking of hard-drive access, like the sound of marbles being poured into a bowl, goes on and on. It's the computer's way of saying, "Please wait, humanoid, I have things to do, drivers to be updated, scans to complete; I will be with you shortly". Do you ever wonder if the computer would rather be left alone to do it's business?

It's worse on Friday for some reason. The average startup time goes from 5 minutes to 10 or 15. Today it's still clicking like gangbusters 25 minutes after login, and I haven't touched it! Should I be surprised? I register a sigh from my next-door neighbor, "17 minutes and I can't open my email!" As I blog from my mac, I look back at my PC and wonder why.