This will be a log of my thoughts on how we often misuse technology. How we build tools, not to work for us, but against us.
I have worked at IT Service Desks for close to 20 years. I see the technology we provide and how well it works. Usually we provide half baked tools and provide no useful training to our staff. Then I get to hear from the customers who are explaining where the technology has failed. I pass this useful information up the chain of command, and it falls on deaf ears. They are too busy working on the next shiny tool or project. They have already patted themselves on the back for a job well done and are moving on. They think me insane to say otherwise, no matter how many facts are presented. To hades with actually fixing what’s broken. The best case scenario, we will plug the holes with bandaids and bubble gum. If that doesn’t work, blame the client.
You will find that sometimes banging rocks together is the right tool. Not every project’s solution requires a back end loaded Node.Js server, Front end loaded React interface, “Windows 10 plus One” OS, smart phone, etc… Sometimes paper and pen are just more efficient.
A perfect example is a customer counting solution used by a Military Recruiting group. They would give out recruiting cards (with identifying bar codes) at job fairs, etc. The intent was that if someone came into a recruiting office that they would hand the card in, they would be scanned, and the statistics of where this person heard about us would be digitally stored in a national database. Anyone but an idiot can see where this will fail and that there is a simpler solution. Most cards will be lost, thrown away, or forgotten. Now a large infrastructure is required to simply count people. Scanners, computers, training, servers, communication networks. As you can imagine, the front end staff who were to collect cards rarely got the computer equipment and scanners to work or failed to get the data to the national database. It is not their fault. It is an overly complex process that replaces pen and paper. The solution? You ask everyone who comes in where they heard about you. You log in on a piece of paper. You aggregate this data, and mail it off to the national office to add up all the numbers. Even the simplest of employees can do this. No electricity, no infrastructure, no maintenance or cost.
I know all the Tech boys are squirming now. It undermines everything we nerds stand for. I get that. I have spent my teen and adult years in front of the ultimate idiot box. I love those years, because understanding technology came easy to me. It pays the bills, and amuses me. Thank you tech industry!
So what are the problems then? Ask yourself who is in charge? Why when the phone beeps are you compelled to respond? Even in dangerous situations (driving) people will still engage with their phones. Devices and companies having that kind of control over us is a problem. And yet, if asked, most people would say technology is not meeting their needs. It is often unreliable, hard to use, and aggravating. And yet happily pay for it. Not just once, but over and over. Forced into costly cell phone plans and planned obsolescence.
People would be happier if they just threw their technology away. At least after the withdrawal symptoms. Will this happen? Not likely. Humans are wired a certain way, and the tech companies play to that. Lining up to buy Windows 95. Remember that? It’s just an OS. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAkuJXGldrM) Who can resist this not so subtle manipulation? Not many.
We need to insist that technology works for us, We should not be working for technology.
Anyway, on to the rants!