Notes from Mod 1 readings

Notes from reading for Module 1 (these are just a few notes jotted down while reading)

• "People may skip an obvious technical improvement because the new way does not feel right or comfortable, even though it is more utilitarian.
• "We adopt new technologies largely because of what they do for us, but also in part because of what they mean to us. Often we refuse to adopt technology for the same reason: because of how the avoidance reinforces, or crafts our identity. "
• "We announce our identity by what stuff we use or refuse. "
• "Groups or individuals will reject all kinds of technologically advanced innovations simply because. Because everyone else accepts them. Or because they clash with their self-conception. Because they don't mind doing things with more effort. "
  

So basically people will only use technologies when the technologies fit in with how they see themselves, not solely because the new thing is better, faster, stronger, etc. Technologies are as much about personal taste as they are about advancement. So while libraries are wanting to add new gadgets (blogs, RSS feeds, Kindles, down loadable audio books, etc) are they looking into if these technologies fit with their client base or are they just creating white elephants?

This whole discussion might begin to explain my personal aversions to Apple computers and the music of the band Tool. On paper I should like both. I like good design and tactile technologies. But it was only in the last year that I bought my first iPod (and that was only because I bought a car with an iPod dock). And I seem to like every festival where Tool is on the bill I like all of the supporting acts, but every time I listen to Tool it just doesn't click with me. Neither click for me. So here in this article I have some support for the things I don't just 'just because'.
Cool.

-AB

Kelly, Kevin. (2009) Ethnic technology, The Technium: http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2009/03/ethnic_technolo.php