I love technology. But when did a love of technology mean buying into the concept that technology is the answer for everything?
It's true, I have a weird, dark-humored affection for certain utopian tech concepts. The belief that technological progress means you may never have to leave your house for anything, ever: dude, what doesn't rock about that as a brave new world?! The idea that technology will then create outdoor landscapes for us to access indoors - meaning I can climb Everest in a virtual Nepal, complete with fake deoxygenation as I 'ascend', all while drinking coffee on my couch - priceless. (Welcome to WALL-E world, indeed. Bring on the floating Barcaloungers!)
But the problem with tech utopias like the Chiat/Day experiment is that they don't factor in human needs and wants, let alone human behavior. Wouldn't it have been smart for C/D to consult as many psychologists and social scientists as they did technicians when considering 'hot desking'? How ironic that this took place in an industry as bound up in assessing, monitoring, and pushing consumer tastes as advertising. Understanding the nature of office work, as well as the structural hierarchies of an office, would have been key to integrating any new approach to the way humans work. (Notice I say 'integrating'. This, as opposed to 'imposing', which is what Chiat/Day did.)
So what 'takeaway' messages can librarians find in Brown & Duguid? Survey and assess to find out where people fall on the spectrum of technology use. Don't force your users or staff into 'progress' they can't process. Let specific needs drive the adoption of technology to fit those needs; then offer ample training for patrons and staff. Consider the comfort of users from every possible angle. Above all, do not make technology into cod liver oil, each swallow sanctimoniously delivered with an 'it's good for you' message.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Amen to the human factor Tara. Isnt it funny how so often the "techies" in an organization are often those people who have trouble with interpersonal dynamics and working with varying personality types? Not the kind of folks likely to be developing successful Social Software, eh?
I think it's human nature to want things that will 'solve all our problems'. People love easy answers! Fortunately, there are enough cynics and realists in society to keep us tethered.
Tom makes a good point above about techies being the one to develop user-friendly software. A bit of a paradox!
BTW, I laughed out loud at your WALL-E reference. Loved that movie, on several levels!
Post a Comment