Comments on: 2008: The Year of Limits

By: Annie Pond

Annie Pond — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 01:07:40 +0000

Reading this post was really a pleasure for me, not only because it satisfied much of my curiosity in regards to the motivation and drive behind what you do for education, but because it’s exciting to see an individual who is successful in channeling so many of her personal talents into a purpose that is truly meaningful.

One of the reasons I chose design school over other pursuits is because I feel it is a bastion of undiluted education and exploration. My coursework and studio experience is modeled after the famous Bauhaus, and my professor’s syllabi are their life’s work. But perhaps more importantly, I wanted to prepare myself for a venture that has existed since the very first people made signs with their hands–designing better communication.

Digital media, social networking, and the metaverse are undoubtedly part of this. They are the precursors to an exciting chapter in human history, and I only hope that I can find as meaningful a fit in this new world as you have.

In short, it is fun to work with such a motivated individual as yourself, and when I’m not being put through the meat grinder, I look forward to exploring the possibilities of Second Life more.

By: Corcosman Voom

Corcosman Voom — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:34:32 +0000

Thanks to timmcdoniel at Twitter for reminding me to check your blog. (RSS feed? Ack, information overload.) A great review of the year, Fleep. In 2009, I hope someone takes the institutional blinders off and recognizes that you are among those who are ahead of the pack in education.

By: AJ

AJ — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:46:55 +0000

Re: wisdom of older people. This is not a new problem, and certainly not something that is indicative of using technology.

Since we have moved away from a oral traditional based society, the older generation (except in the Asian cultures) have been marginalized.

I think - with the way technology is going, we may be in a BETTER position to capture and keep this essential cultural capital. if I can get my mom on Facebook, there is hope.

By: Fleep

Fleep — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:33:09 +0000

(er, suffer from NOT hearing their experiences. Unfortunate typo there.) Doh.

By: Fleep

Fleep — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 02:32:17 +0000

I should have said somewhere in there that I’d never make it through all the trials and tribulations without my friends, but hopefully you guys know that anyway. :) Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration, as always!

Graham, you’re the second person to recommend that viewer, I have to check that out. Anything that makes real collaboration with web stuff easier is something I want to at least try.

Lynn, I have that worry too! Not only that we’ll suffer from hearing their experiences, but that there is a LOT of wisdom in the heads of older folks, and it won’t get archived/recorded in digital form for us (or future generations) to search and learn from later. And here I thought I was a weirdo for worrying about that kind of things, glad to know there are at least two of us! :)

By: LynnCullens

LynnCullens — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:28:22 +0000

Great post Fleep, my head is spinning. Your points on the limits of personal information processing are right on. Myself, I worry that digital social networking is very daunting for people in their later years, and that we will all suffer for the lack of hearing their experiences and wisdom.

By: Mal Burns

Mal Burns — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:49:41 +0000

Whew! An epic series of thoughts there - what can I say? All the best for the coming year and we’re always here for you.

By: Graham Mills

Graham Mills — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:05:17 +0000

“I can’t show a flash or .wmv movie in Second Life, can’t collaboratively access webpages and documents with others easily, and it takes forever and 50 steps to do something as simple as making a prim clickable to launch a webpage.”

Not a panacea but worth trying the Damani viewer if you haven’t already. Best setup and integration I’ve seen.

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 00:12:16 +0000

great post. worth the effort. hear hear to all the above. I could share all the things that are better in the UK health system and sympathise on all the things that are equally bad (eg. not sending blood for a transfusion to ICU because the request came down on the wrong colour form), but I won’t. I’ll just agree that you are blessed to have that precious time with your Dad when I had 10 days to say goodbye to mine, and pray for you both. May 2009 bring many new adventures for you, and more great reflections on them for us.

By: RavenPhoenix

RavenPhoenix — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:06:58 +0000

An absolutely awesome record of the year, in that the truths encompass us all yet are presented with such a sense of intimacy. It needs to be said…and needs to be read. Thank you, Fleep.