‘… pursuing academic and intellectual activities, testing hypothesis and correlating findings in order to create new knowledge.’
As a polymath, I seek as ‘lab rat’ deeper immersion and self reflection at the human | machine | tech meta-cybernetic coalface. My research focus is as skeptic embroiled in debate, not statistical outcome restricted, nor esoteric phenomena investigations bound by institutional ethics clearance.
Technological Trajectory for Humankind
In October 2009 I must have been at the University of Otago in New Zealand when I made a whole series of notes in a workshop with mobile computing expert, John Eyles.
Public Interest Technology
Today I presented at the Public Interest Technology University Network, which is a partnership that unites 36 colleges and universities, and that is working to address these very issues by building the nascent field of public interest technology and growing a new generation of civic-minded technologists.
PhD Thesis
On the 18th June 2020, after ten years of hard slog I completed the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Wollongong, NSW Australia.
In Duality
A short post describing the key points of reflection and learning coming out of the research PhD process.
Human Library
The reason I'd like to become a human book is being inspired by the stories of others who have become one too and what that has brought into their lives. My own life story is both sad yet empowering for others so I am told and that’s probably the best reasons to become another conduit in people’s lives.
Power & Surveillance
On the 5th July 2019 I presented at SAE Institute in Perth, Western Australia. The topic was power and surveillance and as a visiting researcher I was invited to speak of the findings of my PhD research investigation.
Thoughts On Location Based Services
As I was composing the last of the figures which would appear in my PhD thesis using the online graphics tool, Gliffy, some thoughts on location based services came to mind to share and discuss with the Chief Investigator, Professor Katina Michael.
Filmtaking
In discussions with the Chief Investigator and Supervisor, Professor Katina Michael and listening in conversation with researcher and Filmmaker Dr. Magali McDuffie, the researcher struck upon where distinctions can be made between those engaged in the trust-based relationship of filmmaking…
In Place Of God
In a series of emails that relate to the completion of the PhD thesis I picked out this particular moment as for me it defines the bigger picture or the ‘leap off point’ from where the PhD finishes and where the next part of the learning journey begins.
Google Plus Communities
In all their wisdom, Google shut down its own history as is common in the tech world. Google decided to close its G+ communities in 2019 which to the researcher’s disappointment also kills off those communities and the content which historically I had used extensively to engage with the Google Glass community…
Anti-social Media
This was a post that I sent into the teachAndLearnOnline Group (TALO) that seems to have sealed my fate with the educational tech geek fest which I’ve consistently fragmented with actual HUMAN discussions.
Significant History
So tonight I’ve discovered that seven layers deep in the bowels of my iPhone I have a list of every single location I’ve ever visited since the history of me purchasing and using an Apple iPhone product. In my case that goes back 11 years.
Instagram Is History
Sadly it will probably be my children that give me the most grief as I am no longer ‘visible’ through their own Instagram feed and their perception is that yet again I have disappeared from yet another part of their life and they are yet to understand why it is that I view the Internet with sinister intent.
Their Product Is Me
No doubt you are thinking to yourself “…oh here we go again…Alex is deleting his Facebook account.” Well, I’m going to make the process open for comment so if you are not at all concerned by Facebook’s invasion of your privacy please close this tab now.
A Bit About Me
A response to the following questions for those following my journey now here in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Here is a link to that #realstory I spoke about in this interview - https://www.livingwell.org.au/from-men/stories-of-mens-experience/alexs-real-story/
Axon Discussion
In a discussion with a colleague who wishes to remain anonymous I asked a question regarding that person’s recent communications with Axon, law enforcement focussed body-worn camera developer and supplier.
Thoughts On Place
Place being that 'sense of place' - belonging to and grounded in and on Country. The disambiguation and separation between the human and place occurs first in language when ‘Country’ is referred to as ‘THE country’.
