Citizens must not go bald

[webofevil]

Plans for a national ID card scheme have been branded "farcical" after suggestions it might misidentify people with brown eyes or men who go bald

Commons pin-up Tony McNulty's comment is typical of the government's approach: "we think the technology can only get better and better and better."

At the heart of New Labour there seem to be two key ideas:

(1) implement change at all costs, because even if you make things infinitely worse, at least you did something, and

(2) anything with a computer in it is brilliant.

Also,

(2)(i) Anyone who knows how to work a computer must also be brilliant,

which is the only explanation for how easily this lot are baffled with bullshit.

This was vividly illustrated last year, when Alastair Darling proudly unveiled the new computerised section of the driving test. You sit at a monitor which shows footage filmed from the windscreen of a moving car. As soon as a potential hazard appears up ahead (mother with pram, truck turning left, member of government standing in road staring open-mouthed at computer, etc), you have to click the mouse, and the sooner you click, the higher your score. However, as this was being demonstrated by a roomful of students, it rapidly became clear that you could score highest not by demonstrating any knowledge of the road, but by randomly clicking the moment the footage started playing. Cue derision, embarrassment, the painful sight of middle-aged ministers trying to understand new technology. "Oh, gosh, computers? Gosh. Wow. Have some money."

Comments

[strictlytrue.livejournal.com]

Seems I'm rebelling against ID card technology without even trying.

I think the problem is more serious, and more far-reaching than Ministerial ignorance. There is a very real problem with people above a certain age, and of a certain social status, not merely being ignorant about IT matters, but almost wearing it like a badge of pride. The MP in the debate I mentioned the other day who was championing Civ was almost apologetic about his IT knowledge, describing himself as the resident "geek" on the Defence and Intelligence Committee. Personally, I find it quite alarming that only one of the MPs on this Committee considers himself to have knowledge about IT.

It simply isn't good enough any more for those working in important professions - and let's not imagine it's only Ministers and MPs who suffer from this condition - to tut, roll their eyes and say "Oh I'm just hopeless with computers! My children know much more about it than I do!" THIS IS NOTHING TO BE PROUD OF. GO AWAY AND FIND OUT HOW THEY WORK.

[lowlowprices.livejournal.com]

To be fair, I don't know *how* they work, although I do have the time to arse about until I can make them work for my pretty limited purposes. Most "important people" don't have that luxury. Put them on data entry for a few months and they'll soon change their tune.

[strictlytrue.livejournal.com]

To be fair, I don't know *how* they work, although I do have the time to arse about until I can make them work for my pretty limited purposes.

I'd hazard a guess that that means you already know more than about 90 per cent. of the population. My knowledge is probably about the same.

[lowlowprices.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely in the top 10 per cent. of arsing about.

[webofevil.livejournal.com]

> 10 per cent. of

Your Commons are showing...

[lowlowprices.livejournal.com]

Nice, are they not?

[internetsdairy.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest the phrase "The Brown Eyed Problem" would make a marvellous title for a musical, a secret government report from 1953, and a short story by John Wyndham.

[chiller.livejournal.com]

That's IT. (NPI)

You're just come up with a business plan for all us disaffected LJ-ers. Muahaahaa! *rubs hands together*