Do I need this, here, now?

DO I NEED THIS, HERE, NOW?

A talk for the Geek Girl Conference, September 2014

Anjali RamachandranPHD UK, Ada’s List

@anjali28, @PHD_UK, @adaslist #GGM14

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“Very few people go back the other way and live like their ancestors because the future has more choices and possibilities, and—in the end, given everything else about technology—that's what technology gives us, too. That's why we keep making this stuff. It's not really to sell more things. Yes, it's about selling things, but primarily what we're doing with technology is we're inventing new possibilities that did not exist before.”

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Do I need THIS?

(Cool new thing vs. cool new useful thing)

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Do I need this, HERE?

(Cool new useful thing in London)

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Do I need this, HERE?

(Cool new useful thing in London vs. cool new useful thing in Lagos)

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CONNECTIVITY

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CUTTING OUT THE MIDDLEMAN

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ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN NEW WAYS

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What ubiquitous technology is doing is changing what is possible

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But technology needs to overcome constraints to be successful

Do I need this, here, NOW?

(Cool new useful thing in London/Lagos in 2014 vs. cool new useful thing in London/Lagos in 2020 vs. cool new thing in London/Lagos, EVER)

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“It seems that on average, because of the distinguishing feature of interactivity, the Internet is qualitatively different from the television in that its main function is not so much one of passive entertainment. At least in some areas of social engagement, the main function of the Internet seems rather one of active information and communication – which the Internet provides in an individualized form at any time – that is conducive to social interaction.”

- Bauernschuster, Falck, Woessmann (2011)

On technology and social capital

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Thanks!

Anjali RamachandranPHD UK, Ada’s List

@anjali28, @PHD_UK, @adaslist #GGM14