The solution to problems may be quite simple. Seeing the results however, may take a lot more effort. In 1847, Ignaz Semmelweiss discovered that if doctors washed their hands before attending women in childbirth it dramatically reduced deaths from puerperal fever. But before his work could have much benefit he had to persuade people - … Continue reading Implementing technology is easy
Understanding poetry
I never know if I understand poetry but that is a silly thing to say. Does it really matter? It is just the same as when I am reading a book. Sometimes I understand the twists and turns of the plot, the interrelations of the characters and the underlying story that the author is trying … Continue reading Understanding poetry
Buy a newspaper
I’ve done something I haven’t done for a long time. I’ve bought a newspaper. It must be fifteen years or so since I last bought one and this was around the time when online news was starting to take off seriously. This isn’t the reason I stopped however. I had been reading a copy of … Continue reading Buy a newspaper
Forcing creativity
This is a topic I have covered before and is the third to come out of the amazing Thinking Digital 2019. It is something that divides opinion. Can you force creativity? In other words are there circumstances that encourage or even determine people to be creative? One of the speakers, Roger Mavity, the Creative Conjurer, … Continue reading Forcing creativity
A visit to LORCA
The London Office for Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement sounds like an exciting place and, sure enough, it is. I have been thinking about it for quite awhile now as part of our efforts to create a cyber cluster in the region. LORCA has developed an almost mythical status in my mind, a magical place which will … Continue reading A visit to LORCA
Thinking Digital is good for the soul
This is my second blog from this year’s Thinking Digital conference. It is the must attend event in the region for me, not wishing to denigrate any others . I think I have been coming for about ten years and have got to know @herbkim, the driving force behind the event, quite well. It is … Continue reading Thinking Digital is good for the soul
Life’s a Breeze
There is something about a visit to Breeze Creatives that always gets me excited. It's hard to put my finger on it but I think its to do with the creative energy that runs through the place. They have an interesting business model, taking short term leases on buildings that are due for demolition or … Continue reading Life’s a Breeze
Both sides of the crime
Doesn’t time go fast when you are enjoying yourself. I can’t believe that Thinking Digital has come and gone again for another year. It is such a good event that I end up buying my tickets for next year the day they go on sale. I always get a few blogs out of it as … Continue reading Both sides of the crime
It’s all about governance
I have always found presenting to school students daunting and so the prospect of a whole afternoon in front of twenty pupils at Newcastle’s University Technical College, North East Futures, left me with mixed feelings. My trepidation wasn’t helped by the fact that the afternoon was to be spent talking about governance, data protection and … Continue reading It’s all about governance
One Region One Sector One Statement
Today sees the publication of One Region One Sector One Statement, a document that sets out to establish the North East as a world leader for creative digital and tech Innovation. It has been a labour of love, developed over many months, by a small team from across the sector in the region. The real … Continue reading One Region One Sector One Statement
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 