20 Years ago and a glimpse of the future?

Next year marks 20 years since I graduated from high school.  Well I say ‘graduated’ but it was actually more like making sure I covered the bare minimum to get out of having to repeat my final year.  I remember having a ‘debate’ with my maths teacher as to exactly how quadratic equations was going to assist me in the real world.  Yes I was one of those students.  Which is why I find it a bit bizarre to read my leavers book entry above, which I have just discovered again today thanks to old school mate Rod Swift, which reports that I had ambitions to be a Scientist? Wha? Is this some sort of  pubescent rebellious humour?  Rod has also set up a Facebook group for those in our year and it has been a real spin to connect with old friends after so long!

And this morning I had a first when I was interviewed for over an hour from within Second Life.  (See image on the left.) It was as part of a workshop at the Internet Ministry Conference in the US.

Technology is simply that which makes a task easier.  And here are two excellent examples, I am able to catch up with people from school, making a fresh connection after so many years (including the teacher who taught me about computers!).  And I can participate in a conference without days of travel and the costs that come with that.

Now every ministry should ask the question:  Do we really need to spend all that money on travelling to have that meeting?

One day I would like to develop a system which makes virtual meetings hugely attractive: a genuine and serious option.  And when that day comes we will see large amounts of savings in expenses, time spent travelling and environmental impact.  Not a bad thing to aim for.

You interested?

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