Developing Usable Experiences

Watching things grow

June 23rd, 2008 10:36 pm —  103 views

Work, like life, has a certain organic quality to it. Projects grow from ideas and become these things that need care and attendance. Some projects are like weed/vegetable gardens while some are like Zen rock gardens. Some are organized, some are organic and evolving. I see our lives as a combination of both.

Though the routine of home life is comforting because it is routine, I have to admit that routine is not always routine. What we become used to changes over time because things around it are changing. We adapt and grow, keeping pace (or trying to keep pace) with what is around us. If you don’t grow, you become like a rock. Not growing. Even though some things don’t seem to change, everything is changing all the time and to forget this is to invite confusion.

Technology is changing our lives in dramatic ways. Though I chatted with my boss today, we never actually talked or came face to face…even though I could stand up and talk to him over my cube wall if I wanted. Something about electronic communication and the imposed constraints afford a unique paradigm for communication. Like everything, this approach to information sharing is growing and evolving into something that is unlike anything that exists. It is a form of new growth. Sometimes I wonder if it is a way of sharing information that is more concentrated and focused. To some degree, sure, but what does it mean for interpersonal relationships?

I’m fascinated with the way computers, the Internation, and technology are impacting our lives. I look forward to seeing how humanity and society in general evolves in a world of blogs, twitter, instant messaging, email, and web publishing. Such potential combined with growing isolation and interaction. Where will it take us?

Image: A picture of our vegetable garden we’re cultivating on our deck. Jalapenos, banana peppers, chile peppers, cherry tomatoes, rosemary, pet grass, mint, oregano, basil, and catnip. It’ll be fun to see how things grow throughout the summer.

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5 Comments 

Comments

5 Responses to “Watching things grow”

  1. Dawn on June 24th, 2008 9:41 am

    WAAAAY better than a garden in the ground, lots less weeding, fewer groundhogs and more produce!

  2. Ma on June 26th, 2008 6:31 pm

    Very intuitive my youngest son. Growth wouldn’t be so frightening to me, if I knew where I was “growing”. LOL…LOL

  3. Jiyeon on June 27th, 2008 11:32 am

    I am so jealous of your garden! Nice choices of herbs and vegis! I hope I’ll be able to have a teeny garden when I go back to AA.

  4. Spike on June 27th, 2008 4:38 pm

    Jiyeon: So…you said, “when I go back to AA”…does that mean you’re thinking about continuing your education? Phd program at SI?

  5. jiyeon on June 28th, 2008 8:29 am

    Yep!
    Didn’t I tell u? I think I told u, but u forgot..
    I am continuing my edu at SI PhD starting this Sep. ma internship ends in two weeks and I am visiting my family in Korea for a month before the school starts.

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