Skeptology

To be sceptical about the capacity of computer technology to meet the needs of individuals and communities, and to be sceptical about the capability of individuals and communities to take up the benefits (and responsibilities) of technology kinda takes the shine off one's view of this (technology) world.

Every bright young man or woman who ever sat down in front of a computer for the first time and imagined that they could change the world, and then goes on to administer some ramshackle network in the service of some rudderless organisation gets here sooner or later.  Some live down in the 'bitter and hateful' corner, quite a few other's spend most of their time here gazing out the window, and others just walk out the door (ah, there is always a door you see..).  Others of course just pop their heads in from time to time, on a bad day when threads strip and code just don't want to crunch the way we want it to.

Years ago I arrived here, spent my time in the bitter corner, and then found the door and walked out into a considerably happier wider greener life.  But maybe I missed the crowds, the stories, and maybe I had (have) some fool-notion of coming back to 'have another shot at it' - that 'improving the world through technology' thing.  So I sit on the bench here, tell some stories, listen to others, and watch, and wait, to see if some of those ripples we set up here might find their way out into the technology world that nurtured us, and - if we can forgive it enough to recognize it - made us what we are.  And maybe I'm trying to recapture that first moment of finding something useful to do with a computer..

Currently there are no other blogs referencing skeptology, but you're welcome to browse..skeptology.

Comments

[Tban]

Well it was true (as best I could tell!) to say in 2005 that there were no other blogs referencing skeptology, but there are indeed a few now, and most quite creditable. Skeptology of course is a nonsense, ironic hyperbole perhaps. One can scarcely claim that it is possible to make a science out of a process of dis-belief or suspension of belief in respect of any 'accepted wisdom' (depending on your particular skeptical flavour) or dogma. If you 'get' the circularity of this situation you are pretty much in tune with the problems of skepticism expounded by Sextus Empiricus around 100AD - no point taking a dogmatic position about the fallibility of dogmas. And sKeptology, with a K though I'm from an English oriented culture that seems to prefer 'C' (generally), well it looks nicer when set up as a heading. Because in some situations an absurd reason is as good as any other.