Monday, September 8, 2008

Dont be too proud of this technological terror you have constructed




" Don't be too proud of this technological terror you have constructed. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant, next to the power of the force."
―Darth Vader talking about the Death Star
OK, so my 37th birthday is here and I have to go with a Star Wars quote to make my day. I think we can learn a lot from Darth Vader. Even amidst the best, biggest, strongest technology, the power of people is still greater. OK, so maybe I dont have the force, but today's technology has yet to exceed the ability for people to destroy it.

We can come up with the best tool in the world that changes millions of lives, but is that as meaningful as that one person who is saved merely by the kind words of another?

I know it seems like these are random thoughts without connection, well yes, I guess they are. Any hoot.

I think there are two points that I am trying to make.

First, as soon as a great technology is released, there are those who will turn it to use toward the dark side. But does that mean we should just avoid those tools? For example all of these fears around using social media because of the "bad stuff" out there. Maybe that is your chance to show that although that technology be used can destroy a planet, it can also be used to save lives, make connections, grow real change in a positive way, if you just took time to help people understand it.

Second, we can create all of these awesome tools but if they are meaningless to the people that were intended to use them, they will fail and be destroyed. So before selecting that software that is the cream of the crop, highest functionality, whiz bang... think through if your organization is even really ready for it. Can you even use it? Not only do you have to find technology tools that meet your functionality needs, your people have to be able to use it. For example, in Star Wars the light sabre seems to be the best weapon, so why doesnt everyone use it? Well because they would just cut off their own arms or something. You need to be trained first.

Anyway, just my ramblings on a star wars theme.

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