Comments on: Technohype Makes You Sound Silly

By: Technodope

Technodope — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:22:08 +0000

I’m just starting to peek behind the scenes of libraries, and there does seem to be a faction that tries to get ahead of any new computer technology, seemingly for no other reason than because it’s the “bleeding edge”.

I think that would be the same crowd of information specialists working in information and media resource centers. Petrified by articles they’ve read on-line, written by geeks who wouldn’t be going to the library, anyway, even if the servers are down for an extended time, they’re desperate to remain “relevant” in the age of the internet. And so they self-consciously try to be hipper than the hip, getting ahead of any new technology, however inappropriate.

The library should stay on top of some technologies, like web browsers and plug-ins. But for many others, five or ten years behind the leading edge is more appropriate. Or the lowest common denominator. They don’t need to expand their VHS collection because that’s not common enough to be the lowest common denominator, but it’s too soon to replace their DVDs with BluRay because not enough people can use the newer technology. And in general any new technology should be evaluated for appropriateness, not just glommed on to in anticipation of the utopia that technology will bring.

By: CarpeDiem

CarpeDiem — Fri, 08 May 2009 05:27:49 +0000

Legal 2.0, unwittingly, you are making AL’s point.

By: Legal 2.0

Legal 2.0 — Fri, 08 May 2009 02:54:33 +0000

Sorry – but Twitter IS an amazing resource & has the *potential* 2 affect great social change. The recent US election & widespread communication achieved by Obama himself and His staffers was clearly immense.

Can u deny this?? Yes – it has its share of genuine 2.0 twits who ramble on about their last cup of coffee or whatever giberish – BUT – people do actually goof of in our libraries as well u know! I know what we did in our law faculty library!! ;?

By: Balanced Librarian

Balanced Librarian — Thu, 07 May 2009 21:12:25 +0000

Look, twitter, is a potential tool. It may be useful, it may be a self-indulgent fad. But yea, I think social media tools are worth examining for usefulness. I don’t have much use for misplaced techonohype but neither do I care for uninformed attacks that begin “The only reason…” There is seldom an “only reason.” Here is a potential use for Twitter in libraries – replace RSS feeds for current news on library home pages. Considerably less overhead to manage.

By: make room

make room — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:00:47 +0000

When I was younger a twit was a moron. I think that says it all dear lemmings. I know my followers can’t wait to know the next time I pick my nose, wipe my ass, or throw up.

By: make room

make room — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:00:47 +0000

When I was younger a twit was a moron. I think that says it all dear lemmings. I know my followers can’t wait to know the next time I pick my nose, wipe my ass, or throw up.

By: AL

AL — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:06:26 +0000

“Y’all are a bunch of dunces. Twitter isn’t for libraries. It is for you librarians to connect and post 164 characters of drivel to say you are annoyed at the latest flash in the pan technology.”

Are you sure that isn’t 140 characters of drivel? Who’s the dunce now?

By: gershbec

gershbec — Thu, 07 May 2009 16:22:38 +0000

I often share your cynicism AL, but this is a strawman argument. You’re hypothesizing that this could have come from a librarian but instead it came from an industry that spends much of it’s time hyping technologies. I am active on Twitter and follow lots of librarians, and I see very few gushing about it. They are simply using it as a tool for the simple reason that lots of other people are using it. That is not a bad reason in itself. Technology today is simple enough that we can just rush in and try things with very little time and effort. Some of them may end up having little value and some may not exist in a couple years. It is likely that Twitter won’t exist in its current form in 10 years, but at least we’ll have experience trying whatever it is that our customers are trying, and in the meantime it may have some value to the institution or to us as professionals.

At least the AL recognizes that Twitter has potential value as a tool. The commenters who deny this sound just as bad as the people who overhype a technology.

By: RJP

RJP — Thu, 07 May 2009 10:45:04 +0000

All true librarians know a worthwhile technology when it comes out.

If you are dazzled by flash, then you didn't study hard enough when you got your MLS and are the reason the profession is going to pot.

By: Irritated Librarian

Irritated Librarian — Thu, 07 May 2009 09:25:32 +0000

Wow, Schalken, like sweeping generalizations do we? Where do you get off telling us “The only reason…” I’m not in the technohype camp by any means but statements like this p*ss me off.