Hi Edmund
This strikes a chord with how quite a lot of people feel (e.g. see Adam C Engst's "Have we entered a post-literate technological age?" http://db.tidbits.com/article/10493). You've identified some of the activities that are emerging to counter it (e.g. Hackerspaces) and there are other informal groups like Dorkbot (http://www.dorkbot.org/) and Tuttle (http://tuttleclub.wordpress.com/) and more.
I don't think the links with formal education are there yet (but if someone else knows better I'd be delighted to find out). As a provincial science centre we've started experimenting with this area, hosting local groups like this and bringing the Maker Faire over from the US (shameless plug: 2010 call for participants here: http://makerfaire.com/newcastle/2010/).
I think this democratisation of technology is another future direction for science communication (alongside dialogue and public engagement) but I think it's going to be driven from the ground rather than by any top-down initiative. You'll probably find plenty of like-minded people doing interesting things that they're happy to share in Leicester (and most cities).
Have fun!
Andy
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-----Original Message-----
From: Edmund Harriss [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 19 November 2009 06:58
Subject: How to write machines, thoughts on tech literacy
Dear all
I have just posted some thoughts on tech/computer literacy:
http://maxwelldemon.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/how-to-write-machines/
I am interested in feedback as I know that this is ground well travelled,
and would like to know what else is happening.
Edmund
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Edmund Harriss
Department of Mathematics
University of Leicester
[log in to unmask]
http://www.mathematicians.org.uk/eoh
I'm English and as such I crave disappointment...
Bill Bailey 1964-
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