Archive for the 'Journal' Category

Social media: mixing business with pleasure?

Published on 22 December 2010 in Internet and Journal. 0 Comments Tags: , , , .

The other day I created a facebook page for aQovia. All well and good, the functionality is a little basic but it ticks a box that technology companies seem to need to fill in these days. For me this is the first time I’ve mixed things up…

I’m not new to social networks. Whilst slow (amongst my university peers) to join Facebook – I was partly jaded by the fact that I’d been on so many of them before. I was a member of SixDegrees back in 1997. I’m not sure we called them “social networks” back then. They were more of a crowdsourced “Bacon number experiment” – though again I don’t recall “crowdsource” being in lexicon back then, and the Microsoft Word 2008 spell check doesn’t know about it either. Anyway, my point is I’m not a luddite when it comes to online stuff…

What I find difficult is the conflation of space: personal vs work, school, or whatever. People vary. Some of us like to keep our lives neatly partitioned, others prefer to see it all as one spectrum. Me, I’m the former: Not only do I keep things apart but I have multiple circles of friends (originating from different phases or places in my life) which I have no desire to bring together. For me it’s a way of maintaining the variety of life.

This is what riled me about creating a company page on facebook that wouldn’t have done if I was creating aQovia’s LinkedIn page. I see facebook as part of my personal space, whilst LinkedIn is professional. I don’t want them merged.

Ofcourse, this feeling is ridiculous and not just because, I could have, if I wanted to, used an anonymous profile (and I know plenty of people who have multiple accounts on facebook thinking one or more of them is anonymous…). No, it’s ridiculous because the nature of the Internet is such that everything is public. And more so because I have actually benefitted from the fusion – it’s amazing how a quick tweet or status update can get an unexpectedly useful response from someone you know in a different capacity.

The Internet has forced a change upon me but one, now that I’ve noticed it, is one that’s actually for the better. Will it affect me “offline”? I guess in some way it must have and will do so. Yet as we learn to identifiy and distinguish between the intimate and superficial – and recognise that it’s a potentially a perpendicular axis from online/offline, perhaps it’s better to maintain a spectrum of approaches.

Upon reflection I’m moved to wonder if I’m still a digital native. I’m certainly not a digital immigrant but I think I can now only claim to be a native if the classification is purely binary. With the pace of technological change and the emotional impact it can have I propose that digital generations, if there is any use for them, should now be measured in years or perhaps even months but certainly not decades.

SwisticMing.com a new independent London listsings network

Published on 19 August 2010 in Business, Internet, Journal and London. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , .

My brother has set up a new startup called SwisticMing.com, an independent London guide for what’s on in London and going out in London, including night clubs, pubs and bars, gigs and tickets, arts and literary events, film listings for indie cinemas, different and unusual things to do in London and free things in London. The site is soon to be relaunched with a brand new membership scheme available to all users, allowing members access to discounts and offers across a network of London venues and events.

You can follow SwisticMing on Twitter.

URGENT: All who cycle in Camden: 19 June deadline for Huntley Street consultation

Published on 18 June 2010 in cycling, Higher Education, Journal and Student Union/Politics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , , .

Apologies for the impossibly short notice but the London Cycling Campaign has just sent out the following action alert. I encourage all who cycle in the UCL/Bloomsbury area to respond immediately.

Deadline 19th June for letters and emails regarding a) Cycling contraflow in Huntley Street, Camden b) Cycle Hire docking station in Huntley St, Camden

We understand that both the proposal for a cycle contraflow in Huntley Street and the bike hire docking station in this street may be rejected because of resident objections. We understand there have been very few letters of support for either the contraflow for cycle users or the docking station. Many local cyclists will be unaware of this important consultation. We urge you to express your view immediately.

As you may be are aware local residents, and the many students, hospital staff and patients who use this street are currently forced to use the very busy Tottenham Court Road gyratory system to avoid the one way arrangement along a short (Torrington Place to University Street) but critical stretch of road. Huntley Street, as many people know, is directly linked to one of the busiest cycle routes in Britain – along Torrington Place. Making a small section of Huntley Street two way for cyclists will enable the many thousand of users of the busy cycle route to access University College Hospital and other buildings in this area without having to use the Tottenham Court Road gyratory system. Huntley Street itself has very little traffic and the northern stretch of the street is already two way for all vehicles – in terms of safety this contraflow is not problematic and it will only require minor works .

It would be most regrettable if a useful facility and a reduction in road danger to cyclists will be rejected when funding is available to carry out the necessary works. We understand the funding will be returned to TfL if the proposal is rejected.

The location of a cycle docking station in Huntley Street would be a great convenience for local residents as well as patients who wish to go to University College Hospital. It would unfortunate if this station were rejected. The contraflow in Huntley Street would make the short journey to the Torrington Place cycle route or UCL Hospital legal in both directions.

We understand that the council is consulting on the two matters separately in the same document. All local cyclists whether local residents, users of UCL Hospital. UCL students, Camden Cycling Campaign members, LCC members, CTC London members or any others are urged to write immediately to Dave Stewart, principal engineer, making their views clear on either or both proposals. The deadline is Saturday 19th of June. His email is dave.stewart {at} camden.gov(.)uk .

The consultation can be found at www.camden.gov.uk/consultations.

What one cyclist wrote to Camden Council:

“Dear Dave Stewart ,
I would like to show my support for the measures outlined in the consultation on a) Cycling contraflow in Huntley Street, Camden b) Cycle Hire docking station in Huntley St, Camden.
I am a regular cyclist in the area and I would find these facilities very useful.

Yours sincerely,
Alix Stredwick”

In memorium: Sharine Brown

Published on 24 May 2010 in Journal and Student Union/Politics. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , .

I was shocked to learn last week of the passing away of Ms Sharine Brown, lately Head of Residences at Imperial College, London. She had held that role for a number of years, including the duration of my tenure as President of Imperial College Union (2003-2005).

We did not always see eye to eye – particularly when negotiating annual rent reviews (I managed to get them held to 6% rises in both years when Sharine was angling up for upwards of 12%.) She was, nonetheless, a strong champion for quality and choice in student accommodation and a considerable asset to the College. Whilst many others focussed their attention on Imperial’s high-profile and grand building projects, Sharine quietly worked hard to ensure that the best use was made of the crumbling facilities, to benefit existing students, whilst they awaited redevelopment. I always recognised that no matter what problems arose halls at Imperial College were generally better run than those at any other London university. Her passing will be a great loss to student body and she will be deservedly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 16.00 on Tuesday 25 May to celebrate Sharine’s life in Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road. RSVP: Mickie Turner-Goble.