trends

Cleantech, Greentech, and Geekery

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You may have noticed lately that the News of the Day links that Bonnie and I post sometimes contains sections on Cleantech and Greentech. Now I admit I include those instinctively, but this led me to ask myself an interesting question: are Cleantech and Greentech jobs and careers actually “geeky”? Of course you know I'm going to explore this issue.

So without further ado, let's take a look at the question: are Cleantech and Greentech jobs geeky?

Well, yes they are.

Okay, okay, I have to go into more detail. You're not going to let me get away with it otherwise. So now, let's explore why Cleantech and Greentech jobs are indeed for geeks.

  • They are about science. Science is geeky. Okay, some people may say economics is a science and it's not geeky (or not even a science to some). Me, I argue most sciences are partially or totally geeky. So I'm going to leave it there. We can argue about economics in another post.
  • Cleantech and Greentech involved interesting and unique applications of technology. When you have windows that took themselves, bacteria that make fuel, and all the other wonders of Cleantech and Greentech, these are in credibly geeky.
  • Cleantech and Greentech are about changing the world. Changing the world with cool technology and science is very, very geeky.
  • Cleantech and Greentech involve a lot of imagination. People don't just wake up one day and find ways to use holographic film to improve solar panels. Imagination is very geeky.
  • Finally, Cleantech and Greentech are futuristic. As much as some of us love our dystopian science fiction novels, we'd rather live in a clean bright Star Trek-esque future. Cleantech and Greentech help build that future.

So is Cleantech and Greentech geeky? The answer is simple: hell yes!

Now, assured of being geeks, you scientific types go forth and save us from environmental problems, peak oil, and everything else we've gotten ourselves into. And remember: you are geeks.

– Steven Savage

Speculation on ‘Content Farms’

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And what's the word in media today my fellow geeks? Two words actually, "Content Farms".

Yes, suddenly Content Farms are in the news, in the wake of AOL's acquisition of the Huffington Post (and AOLs own strategies), search engine loading, and more. I'm concerned that "Content Farm" is going to become a big new buzzword–so in short I'm concerned about how people are concerned.

Don't get me wrong, Content Farming in its worst manifestations is pretty freaking annoying. I understand the need to generate content (after all I'm a content myself), and I do believe some companies, industries, and so forth may go too far. Making low-quality or no-quality content just to get hits and drive up advertising is something I have a problem with.

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What We Want In Computers Is What We Want In Games

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Some time ago I wrote an essay that what people wanted in their computers was what they wanted in their neighborhoods: simple, accessible, clear. It was a strange essay, but one I think that made a point about how we often want similar things in seemly different and unrelated situations and technologies. It won't surprise you that I have another strange metaphor to yank out of the air and explore: that what we want in games is what we want in our technologies these days.

Let me back up for moment. Lately I've been trying to understand some of the trends in gaming, because frankly they don't make a lot of sense. We have an onslaught of casual games. We have vastly successful and complex MMOs. We have gaming appearing on every conceivable platform. I've wanted to get a grasp of these trends: and I think I have.

My take? That trends in computing and trends in gaming reflecting overall trend in culture and technology.

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