We're taking a bit of a breather while the world rearranges its underpants. Meanwhile, the other blog is here.

Friday, February 04, 2011

Trying to ease their dyspepsia by swallowing a raincoat

We live in uncertain times, the twenty-first century is sniffing round our heels and Call-Me-Dave's Austerity Britain is biting us on the arse so I suppose it's understandable that I'm a bit tetchy.

I'm doing a workshop to try and persuade some of our librarians that the internet is an information and communications medium. In a few cases it's tough sledding. In the end, I crack:
"How many of you have mobile 'phones?"
All hands go up.
"How many of you take photos with your 'phone."
Most hands stay up.
"Who's on Facebook?"
Half the audience.
"Who buys stuff online?"
Most of the audience.
"How many of you have gone on a mobile 'phone course?"
None.
"A digital photography course?"
One of the people who doesn't use her 'phone for photography.
"A Facebook course?"
None.
"An e-commerce seminar?"
Of course not.
"Don't tell me you can't use digital technology without training then."

8 comments:

Pat said...

What is their problem?

Webrarian said...

Quite.

The one that has always bugged me, and still does every time it's trotted out is "I don't have time to practice".

"So do you practice going shopping, then?"

zmkc said...

It's always easier to do things the way you've always done them - as in this sketch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQHX-SjgQvQ
'But the scroll was so much better' as the client says.

Madame DeFarge said...

But they need the time away from their desk. It's well known.

PS - sorry for absence. Life. You know.

Kevin Musgrove said...

Pat: collective irresponsibility, some days...

Webrarian: I've written that one down.

zmkc: :)

Madame DeF: quite so. And reciprocal apologies right back at you; for the same reasons.

libby said...

I'm off on a 'training day' today....it is a welcome break from work and a chance to sit, think, doodle and maybe pick up a little bit of info that I don't need but has to be passed down the line......

Kevin Musgrove said...

Libby: we've all had one of those :)

Major Tom D'Omo said...

I have to say that I could *hear* your voice delivering that one. I read it to Siobhan and she heard you too. :)