A recent article by the BBC (titled “Hi-tech aims to improve lifestyle“) got me thinking about technology over history. I mean beyond my previous articles about the web, and actually about technology in general.
Historically, technology has been developed for one of the following purposes:
- To automate what would have been done by (costly) human hands
- To provide more information
- To make things easier, and hopefully making money along the way
But has sometimes left us with these side effects:
- Information overload
- Extreme amounts of advertising
- Job loss and bizarre positions
- Extreme energy consumption
- Procrastination
It is about time that technology started to work in the favour of the natural human being, as well as nature in general. I’d like to see technology which is able to work out methods which create more energy than it actually uses. I’d like to see technology which allows human society get fitter. I’d like to see technology which helps humans use telephones instead of relying on web-based/textual communication. I’d like to see technology which removes us from the screen. I’d like to see technology which gives us worldwide freedom.
Maybe we’re on the way there…. or maybe my dream is only possible by devolving technology and going back to basics by working the land with our hands. Let us hope it is the first, because it is probably too late for the latter.
Hello All,
I’ve decided to go public again! It worked last time, and it was a lovely job, so I thought I’d try it again - going public about my job hunting.
I’m looking for a job in/around/near Bristol. Here are the facts:
- I’ve spent a while (since October 2008) doing postgraduate study at the University of Bristol, in which the greatest thing that I’ve learnt is actually more about myself - rather than any of the course subjects. I’ve also found out that the course itself isn’t actually going to be of any benefit to my career (unless something magical comes up), which is very very disappointing - but at least it was an interesting experience.
- My undergraduate degree was from Oxford Brookes University (2003-2007) and was a BSc(Hons) Intelligent Systems and Software Engineering. I received a 2:1 honours classification.
- I can do software engineering, web development (Web 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0), general computer science research, computer science teaching/tutoring, or technical writing (including Documentation). I particularly enjoy the writing side, and being able to explain/help and attempt to problem solve.
- I just want to help out society. I’m now personally fed up with hiding myself behind education. I want to do real work, working with people, working for a better society. If I can apply my skills and/or interests to tasks then I’ll be happy.
- I would consider work from home, but would much prefer to work with people (e.g. in an office).
The locations I’ll look for:
- Perfect: Bristol (including all suburbs and outside villages)
- Happy to commute / move to: Bath, Wells, Weston-super-Mare, Portishead, Cheltenham, Newport, Cardiff…. or anywhere around/between.
- Would consider: any where in the South-West or possibly the Chilterns area.
You’ll be able to tell my skills from my main site. But they include programming (inc. languages such as Java, Ruby and PHP), databases and knowledgebases (including RDBMS with SQL, and RDF with SPARQL), web development (including XHTML, CSS, XML and Model-View-Controller pattern), technical writing (fluent in English (would be willing to learn others - I know basic Spanish and a tiny bit of Swedish), including the use of TeX), knowledge management (roughly equivalent to Information Architecture), events organising and presentation giving. I’ve got a few other random skills (including being a meditation and reiki practitioner, and I have a strong interest in religion/spirituality), and would be happy to apply those skills to a job if required.
I currently have a couple of job applications which I am waiting to hear back from, and will let you all know if I accept a position.
If you may be able to help, or know someone who can then please do get in touch by email or telephone. I’ll be happy to answer any questions, or even meet up with you for an informal/formal chat. I can also provide a CV/Resume if you request one by email.
Many Thanks,
Daniel
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- Email: danieljohnlewis [-a-t-] gmail [-d-o-t-] com
- UK Tel: 07834355516
- (other communication details are on my main site: https://www.vanirsystems.com/ )
