{"id":74,"date":"2012-01-31T21:34:26","date_gmt":"2012-02-01T04:34:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tools4mind.com\/blog\/?page_id=74"},"modified":"2017-07-31T06:19:43","modified_gmt":"2017-07-31T12:19:43","slug":"about-tools4mind","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tools4mind.com\/blog\/about-tools4mind\/","title":{"rendered":"About tools4mind"},"content":{"rendered":"

Background<\/h2>\n

\"_dmg2595_tree-on-white-flattened-tools4mind-small\"<\/a>Originally this site was created as a chronicle of my interest in technology and more generally my interest in tools – any tool that helps us navigate our minds and our environment. As a travel journal, I will continue to keep my eyes peeled for unique inventions and ways to organize the world. I expect my western perspective to be broadened in my travels. Meanwhile, here’s a little about the roots of my tool – fascination…<\/p>\n

My experience in counseling, social work, special education, management, and technology have\u00a0led me to wonder at the\u00a0boundaries where humans meet technology. I am especially curious about how individuals and organizations choose technology and incorporate it into their lives.<\/p>\n

People ask me how a social worker ended up as the Director of Technology. First, I have always been curious about how things work. As schools became connected to the Internet in the 90s, I was fascinated by the potential it held for learning. I could imagine benefits for non-traditional and special education students, as well as self guided learning. As I became engaged with teachers and administrators with similar hopes, I realized the stress and anguish technology can have\u00a0for adults when it adoption is out of their control.<\/p>\n

Tool Evolution<\/h2>\n

The nexus of humans and networked devices can create tension and confusion. Gadgets and gizmos can exacerbate the tension and confusion that already exists between individuals and groups. There is need for people to resolve this tension and to make adoption appropriate to the person and the task. This is the\u00a0perfect job for a therapist \/ social worker \/ manager turned technologist; helping people find what is practical, helpful, useful among the swarm of new technology.<\/p>\n

Psychology, anthropology and neurobiology have recognized the path and significance of the tool evolution<\/a>\u00a0within\u00a0human evolution. Humans\u00a0benefit from the inventions of our ancestors. We would not have survived as a species without a\u00a0facility for developing tools, and passing them on through the tool of language and other symbolic means. Language and it’s heir, civilization,\u00a0has allowed us to leverage the benefits of the collective.<\/p>\n

Inspirations<\/h2>\n

There are many people bringing insight into the history and current trends of\u00a0tool making. I constantly discover new research and theories\u00a0from diverse fields of study.\u00a0This acceleration and cross-field pollination of information can be credited to one of the most game-changing tools in recent history; the Internet.<\/p>\n

Kevin Kelly<\/a>,\u00a0a connoisseur\u00a0of tools has been an important inspiration to my thinking. He has an appreciation for the evolution of our tool making, has written a book on the subject (“What Technology Wants<\/a>“) and provides a regular review of tools<\/a> on his website. I won’t pretend to recreate his encyclopedic efforts, but this website will riff off his insights.<\/p>\n

In another field, Ginger Campbell, hosts the Brain Science Podcast<\/a>. Since discovering her website 5 years ago, I have gained a renewed interest in human psychology and development. I revel in the insights of her guests. These scientists and philosophers bring neuroscience and consciousness (brain and mind) to the forefront. They have inspired me to consider the parallel mystery of human and tool development.<\/p>\n

My\u00a0interests and avocations; tinkering with tools, contemplating human biology and human ingenuity, have been accompanied by a regular practice of meditation. For 30 years I have practiced meditation in\u00a0the Tibetan tradition. While my personal practice is Buddhist, many religious and spiritual traditions provide guidance for meditation, aimed at cultivating peace and improving our conduct. For me, meditation is the ultimate tool because it sharpens my entire being. It helps me to make better choices, develop kindness and patience and to be more effective in whatever I choose.<\/p>\n

In this blog I will provide guidance and (hopefully) some insight in the use and appreciation of a variety of tools. While most of these are digital tools, the common thread is the human condition\u00a0– the “user”. Nurturing ourselves, developing awareness of our behavior is the most essential aspect of effective tool use. We are constantly remaking the maker.<\/p>\n

Some examples of tools:<\/h2>\n