The Tech That Corrodes

AFTER CHATTING WITH Jonathan Sanderson next to the swans of St Stephen's Green, I realised some of the technology flogged at Irish readers is very corrosive. It's corrosive because it's designed to identify, isolate and insulate data from outside contact, instead of bridging ideas in a collaborative way. Sometime the technology performs this way because clients are over-impressed with their claims of intellectual property. Other times the technology is brought to bear in order to prevent leaks in an otherwise connected enterprise. We use a video conferencing technology at Tipperary Institute that is designed to bring outide lecturers into our classrooms through the easy use of Online Meeting Rooms. Sometimes the guests invoke academic privilege and request off-the-record interactions with classrooms of students. In all cases, the ease of using the Online Meetings videoconferencing begs the question, "Why don't other lecturers connect their modules or their college societies to these easily-facilitated online sessions?" Sometimes the answer comes back in the form of a perception that it's cludgy--but it's easier than setting up a data connection on your mobile phone. In my study of inventions, I know how exciting it is to share eureka moments and how infectious technology becomes for those who share this enthusiasm. I just wish we could create more personal video moments, recorded by Irish researchers, where we can share the joy of a day filled with new discovery. But I can feel the shadow of the IP police in the background and like Jonathan Sanderson, I know the thought guardians will probably prevail.

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