Coming to You

I am all for more connectivity but look at this.
Korea - first in getting broadband to the population but then - the ignorant masses take over and manage to mobilize their stupid cousins. Mad cow disease coming? Looks like its already there!

Attention span and Web 2.0

I was interested to come across a promulgation of Blogs about this topic this week. Links are here and here and finally here provide some entry points.
Maybe it was a slow week, maybe people just want to forget about oil and food prices.

It is an interesting idea and I think the jury is still well and truly out on this. I was listening to a debate on national radio late this afternoon where an Australian psychologist, Andrew Campbell has been using computer games with paediatric ADHD patients and finding that they can improve their attention spans. Admittedly, only one type of game and Google is not the same. Campbell made the point that there is a lot of research evidence to support both sides of the story but one of the panelists in the discussion made the assertion that he would not like to see any kid deprived of access to computers as it "would severely compromise their career options" .

Makes you think a) what qualifications some of these people have to make such statements: Answer: well none - he was a media commentator
b) what effect this might have on the audience for the talk show Answer: they will all probably think they are being bad parents if they don't have a new shiny box available for the little ones to play with.

I have repeatedly called for more informed debate on this issue and this(sadly) illustrates why.

Amnesty International

who said this?

Why is it drug addicts and computer afficionados are both called users?

As the networks evolve, so do my opinions toward them, and my divergent feelings bring out conflicting points of view. In advance, I apologize to those who expect a consistent position from me.

Call me a troglodyte; I'd rather peruse those photos alongside my sweetheart, catch the newspaper on the way to work, and page thorough a real book.

Computers force us into creating with our minds and prevent us from making things with our hands. They dull the skills we use in everyday life.

Electronic communication is an instantaneous and illusory contact that creates a sense of intimacy without the emotional investment that leads to close friendships.

Here are my strong reservations about the wave of computer networks. They isolate us from one another and cheapen the meaning of actual experience. They work against literacy and creativity. They undercut our schools and libraries.

I sense an insatiable demand for connectivity. Maybe all these people have discovered important uses for the Internet. Perhaps some of them feel hungry for a community that our real neighborhoods don't deliver. At least a few must wonder what the big deal is.

I spend almost as much time figuring out what's wrong with my computer as I do actually using it.

It's a great medium for trivia and hobbies, but not the place for reasoned, reflective judgment. Suprisingly often, discussions degenerate into acrimony, insults and flames.

No computer network with pretty graphics can ever replace the salespeople that make our society work.

Crossroads DVD

I purchased this amazing DVD of the 2007 Crossroads concert for Eric Claptons Antigua based addiction clinic. Unfortunately my Panasonic DVD player gave the dreaded MO7 error message part way through this outstanding perfomance by Jeff Beck and Tal Wilkenfield. A major new talent.

Science and pseudoscience

A very interesting blog today by Poneke

"My findings were clear. The media were very sceptical, and sometimes overtly hostile, to claims being made by doctors, health authorities and drug companies. I felt this was healthy, because journalists should be sceptical of the claims of experts and government authorities. But in sharp contrast, there was precious little scepticism, or even questioning, of the fantastic claims being made on behalf of “alternative medicine.” I felt that was unhealthy, because, while most “alternative medicines,” such as homeopathic preparations, have no active ingredients at all and thus cannot harm anyone, people who turn to it when they need effective medical treatment can do themselves real harm. Journalists need to be aware of this, but my research found most were not."

To quote one of the rats currentely featuring on our TV's - I concur.

Insommniac ravings

I have been suffering a bit of insommnia lately and I have spent some time listening to all night radio. Forget the terrible Llyod Scott ( why is this man still employed in radio) but the other guy has some snappy music. I heard someone that sounded very much like Ray Davies last night and I dived back into my old Kinks record (yes I have nearly 1000 vinyl LP's) . For those who have not heard the great man try this