Is Facebook the new Prime Minister’s weapon of choice? It seemed an odd choice of platform to use when he announced his latest wheeze, an unofficial Prime Minister's question time, apparently online. The headlined idea was to allow real people to ask questions of him which he could then answer. Of course, I imagine the … Continue reading Weapon of choice
A ski slope of data
There have been many times throughout my career in tech when the problem described is not the problem that needs to be solved. This has often been the case when people have complained about the ineffectiveness of a software application only to find out that it is not set up correctly or that they have … Continue reading A ski slope of data
Advertising stereotypes
When I first heard that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it will ban adverts that promote gender stereotypes that are likely to cause harm, or serious or widespread offence, I thought here we go, political correctness has gone mad. The more I think about it, however, the more I support their approach. According to … Continue reading Advertising stereotypes
An English Civil War
I know that times are very different from the middle of the seventeenth century but could we be heading for another English Civil War? It may sound far fetched but I wonder. The country is riven in two, between the europhobic and europhilic contingents with a split that is not far from 50:50, if you … Continue reading An English Civil War
Driving #CyberFest
Several factors have been driving this year’s #CyberFest. Firstly and obviously the key driver is to meet its aims. These are to raise awareness of the North East as a place to address cyber resilience; to get people engaged in the Dynamo work stream and; to educate and inform of the threats and opportunities from … Continue reading Driving #CyberFest
The river Coquet
For some time now I have been thinking about a book I want to write. Fiction rather than non this time. It involves canoeing up the river Wansbeck, the river that runs through my hometown. I have the plot laid out and have even written it down but can’t find a way into the story. … Continue reading The river Coquet
People versus politicians
The next general election is being lined up. Despite the latest Prime Minister’s assertions that this is not the case, regional visits are being made, cabinet members are being seen to look interested at factories and money, we were told we didn’t have, is being given away in a flurry of rash promises. This … Continue reading People versus politicians
I wouldn’t start from here
There’s that old joke that goes along the lines of someone is lost and stops another for directions. ‘Can you tell me the way to so and so?’ they ask, only to get the reply ‘Well, I wouldn’t start from here.’ There is a point to this joke and that is, if I have to … Continue reading I wouldn’t start from here
Beware of anonymisation
I have such a large back catalogue of blogs pieces now that it is almost certain that some of my predictions and comments come true. Despite this I still get the mild glow of self satisfaction when it happens and so it was when I was reading the Telegraph (you need to read some earlier … Continue reading Beware of anonymisation
Winners and losers
I understand that in an election, certain people win and get elected and that the opposite of winning is to lose. I accept, therefore, that in an election, candidates win or lose but I have never understood the premise that among the people, democracy has winners and losers. In our form of representative democracy, members … Continue reading Winners and losers
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 