Whilst listening to the change11 mooc broadcast on dltv today I was also making some art dammit for ds106. I was listening to Stephen Downes talking about the fact that when conversations happen between people who are ‘well’ connected -others are left out. I thought it was very interesting that Stephen seemed to feel disconnected from the academic world where publication and a research profile are critical to getting employed and also from the world where one might have a casual conversation with Bill Gates.
This seemed strange coming from Stephen who has a very powerful and well recognised voice in a field which relies on social networks and which is fairly saturated with interesting voices.
I think there are many people who have been working in the field of ed tech and specifically focussing on learning and teaching resources who rarely have the chance to join some of the interesting conversations, or who are rarely heard. I do think the change11 mooc offers some of us a voice we have not had before so let’s get talking…
In honour of the unheard I made some photos – using the same technique as before (I know I really should move on) which show the nearly seen… By combining several photos with no person, horse, bird and merging them with one that has – you get the following ghostly effect. I hope these are big enough to work. Will load them to the flickr account aswell to let people look up close if they want to.
walking by the sea
horses in the forest
seagull
Wow, yes, recognition is a fascinating thing. I wonder if it’s a case of the gRSS being greener than it seems? I would think that if Downes wanted to talk to anyone all he would need to do is reach out. Perhaps make a big point of making them one of his first “follows” on twitter. He specifically mentioned he doesn’t like the ‘in’ crowd of following. He prefers to keep that (G+) circle private of the people he considers to be an influencer. Letting that person you respect know that you respect them through reciprocation (both in a social network, citations, and even conversation) is a good way, I would imagine.
As for the averaging photos, please don’t stop. Your pictures are haunting, beautiful. I love them!
Hi Giulia
I was quite surprised that someone with such a high profile seemed to feel so disadvantaged. Its all about perspective I guess.
Glad you are still liking the photos – I am really enjoying taking it to different levels.
[…] are left out. I thought it was very interesting that Stephen seemed to feel disconnected […] [Link] Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:10:12 +0000 […]
Wow, what a neat effect you’ve created in those photos. seagull, in particular, captures the way I have felt sometimes when learning something new…like I am flying alone and overwhelmed by the vastness of the sky. Thank you for sharing!
Lou,
I am especially drawn to the horse image because it is evocative to me of deep time and the way time seems to flicker in and out of its vast layerings in places like the painted caves. This image has that seeing-through time quality that I have experienced at places where historic encounters between the US Army and Indians took place.
The gull and human image speak more to me of foggy/misty mornings on the beach when figures suddenly loom up close or recede into the distance.