1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,280 Welcome back, Deep Divers. 2 00:00:01,280 --> 00:00:03,600 Today we're gonna get into something pretty interesting. 3 00:00:03,600 --> 00:00:05,920 It's called technology stewardship. 4 00:00:05,920 --> 00:00:08,480 And what's really cool is that it's all about, 5 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:10,240 well, you know, those groups we're all a part of, 6 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:11,840 those communities of practice. 7 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:13,600 Yeah, communities of practice. 8 00:00:13,600 --> 00:00:15,560 You might be thinking communities of practice, 9 00:00:15,560 --> 00:00:18,040 hmm, that sounds kind of formal, doesn't it? 10 00:00:18,040 --> 00:00:19,840 But really it's just any group of people, 11 00:00:19,840 --> 00:00:21,240 you know, who share a common interest, 12 00:00:21,240 --> 00:00:23,360 or maybe they're working on a project together, 13 00:00:23,360 --> 00:00:25,000 learning from each other along the way. 14 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:27,560 Think about a book club's sports teams, 15 00:00:27,560 --> 00:00:29,080 even like that online forum 16 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:31,480 where everyone's super into that one video game. 17 00:00:31,480 --> 00:00:32,560 Those are all copies. 18 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:33,400 You know, it's crazy. 19 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:36,480 It's how technology is so connected to these communities. 20 00:00:36,480 --> 00:00:38,920 And it's not just about like using social media 21 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:39,760 to chat or anything. 22 00:00:39,760 --> 00:00:41,000 We're talking about technology 23 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:44,600 actually creating new copies entirely online, 24 00:00:44,600 --> 00:00:47,200 while also being shaped by those that already exist 25 00:00:47,200 --> 00:00:48,680 in ways you might not even realize. 26 00:00:48,680 --> 00:00:50,760 Yeah, it really is like a two-way street. 27 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:52,480 One of the most interesting things about this 28 00:00:52,480 --> 00:00:56,920 is the rise of these technology stewards within copies. 29 00:00:56,920 --> 00:00:58,600 Okay, so not like the IT person 30 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:00,360 who shows up to fix the printer. 31 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:01,360 No, no, not at all. 32 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:02,920 These are leaders who come directly 33 00:01:02,920 --> 00:01:04,600 from within the community itself. 34 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:05,880 They get it, you know. 35 00:01:05,880 --> 00:01:07,520 They know what makes the group tick. 36 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:08,680 And of course they're usually pretty good 37 00:01:08,680 --> 00:01:09,640 with technology too. 38 00:01:09,640 --> 00:01:11,440 So can you give us an example of a cop 39 00:01:11,440 --> 00:01:14,840 that's really had an impact on shaping technology? 40 00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:16,160 Hmm, well think about Wikipedia. 41 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:18,000 You've probably used it a ton, right? 42 00:01:18,000 --> 00:01:18,840 But here's the thing. 43 00:01:18,840 --> 00:01:20,520 It's completely made and maintained 44 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:24,480 by a massive global community of volunteer editors. 45 00:01:24,480 --> 00:01:27,280 That's a cop that not only uses technology, 46 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:29,280 but they actually created this really powerful 47 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,280 piece of technology that we all rely on every single day. 48 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:34,600 Wow, that's pretty wild when I think about it that way. 49 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:36,600 So how do these technology stewards, 50 00:01:36,600 --> 00:01:37,720 like how do they make it all happen? 51 00:01:37,720 --> 00:01:39,240 What are they actually doing behind the scenes? 52 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,000 Well, researchers have actually identified 53 00:01:41,000 --> 00:01:44,080 five key functions that these technology stewards do. 54 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,360 It's kind of like a roadmap for how they connect the dots 55 00:01:46,360 --> 00:01:49,960 between the technology and the needs of the community. 56 00:01:49,960 --> 00:01:51,000 Ooh, okay. 57 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:53,640 Like a tech-savvy superhero origin story. 58 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:55,400 Tell me more about this first stage. 59 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:58,000 All right, so first up, you have community understanding. 60 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,120 Might sound basic, but it's super important. 61 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:01,360 Technology stewards, 62 00:02:01,360 --> 00:02:03,480 they really know their cop inside and out. 63 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:05,800 It's not enough to just be good with tech. 64 00:02:05,800 --> 00:02:08,000 They really understand what the group's goals are, 65 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:09,200 what they struggle with, 66 00:02:09,200 --> 00:02:12,000 even those unspoken rules that everyone just seems to know. 67 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:14,680 So it's less about knowing the newest gadget 68 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,640 and more about understanding the people 69 00:02:16,640 --> 00:02:17,640 who are gonna be using it. 70 00:02:17,640 --> 00:02:18,480 Exactly. 71 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:20,640 Let's say you're a technology steward 72 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:22,440 for a group of knitters. 73 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:24,040 You wouldn't just tell everyone to go out and buy 74 00:02:24,040 --> 00:02:27,320 the most expensive high-tech knitting machine out there. 75 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:29,040 You'd wanna understand what kind of projects 76 00:02:29,040 --> 00:02:31,120 they're working on, their skill levels, 77 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:34,160 what yarn they prefer, how they usually share patterns. 78 00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:35,320 Okay, that makes total sense. 79 00:02:35,320 --> 00:02:38,520 It's about finding the tech that fits the community, 80 00:02:38,520 --> 00:02:40,320 not the other way around. 81 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:41,840 So what's the next stage? 82 00:02:41,840 --> 00:02:43,680 Next is technology awareness. 83 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:45,320 This means that technology stewards 84 00:02:45,320 --> 00:02:48,760 are always keeping an eye out for new tools and trends. 85 00:02:48,760 --> 00:02:50,960 They kind of have this like sixth sense 86 00:02:50,960 --> 00:02:52,560 for what's next to the tech world. 87 00:02:52,560 --> 00:02:54,640 Imagine a technology steward for, 88 00:02:54,640 --> 00:02:56,480 oh, I don't know, a podcasting community. 89 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:59,480 They need to keep up on all the new editing software, 90 00:02:59,480 --> 00:03:01,720 microphones, recording techniques. 91 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:02,800 You know, they're always learning. 92 00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:04,840 So they're kind of like the trend setters of their cop, 93 00:03:04,840 --> 00:03:06,040 always on the cutting edge. 94 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:07,040 That's awesome. 95 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:08,040 What comes after that? 96 00:03:08,040 --> 00:03:09,040 Right, so this is where things 97 00:03:09,040 --> 00:03:10,400 get a little more interesting. 98 00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:13,960 Stage three is selection and installation. 99 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:15,360 Now, you might think this is all about 100 00:03:15,360 --> 00:03:17,880 like choosing the coolest new tech gadget, 101 00:03:17,880 --> 00:03:19,400 but it's much more complex than that. 102 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:21,240 Okay, I'm intrigued, why is that? 103 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:23,360 Well, first of all, there are tons of choices out there. 104 00:03:23,360 --> 00:03:25,520 And tech is constantly evolving. 105 00:03:25,520 --> 00:03:28,040 So a technology steward has to sift through 106 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,080 this constantly changing world of options. 107 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:32,640 And they have to figure out what's good enough 108 00:03:32,640 --> 00:03:34,040 for their community right now. 109 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:35,000 What does that mean? 110 00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:36,960 It means finding the right balance between 111 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:38,000 what the tech can do 112 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,840 and what the community's actual skills and resources are. 113 00:03:40,840 --> 00:03:43,360 Oh, finding the Goldilocks solution. 114 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,080 Not too complicated, not too simple, just right. 115 00:03:46,080 --> 00:03:46,920 Yeah, exactly. 116 00:03:46,920 --> 00:03:47,760 Just right. 117 00:03:47,760 --> 00:03:50,560 Picture a technology steward for a classroom. 118 00:03:50,560 --> 00:03:53,080 They're not gonna pick out some crazy advanced software 119 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:55,080 that teachers have no idea how to use 120 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:57,720 or that needs like a million dollar computer lab. 121 00:03:57,720 --> 00:04:00,040 It's all about finding that perfect balance. 122 00:04:00,040 --> 00:04:01,520 Yeah, that could definitely be tricky. 123 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:02,920 What about stage four? 124 00:04:02,920 --> 00:04:06,120 Okay, so stage four is adoption and transition. 125 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:08,040 Now, it's not like technology stewards 126 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:10,480 just dump a box of gadgets on everyone's desk 127 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:11,720 and say, good luck. 128 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:15,160 They are responsible for guiding the entire cop 129 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:17,080 through integrating that new tech 130 00:04:17,080 --> 00:04:18,800 and making sure it actually helps them. 131 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:20,120 I bet that's super important 132 00:04:20,120 --> 00:04:21,800 because change can be tough 133 00:04:21,800 --> 00:04:23,520 even when it comes to exciting things 134 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:25,800 like cool new technology. 135 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:26,640 Oh, absolutely. 136 00:04:26,640 --> 00:04:29,880 So this part involves helping people get used to the new tech, 137 00:04:29,880 --> 00:04:31,760 troubleshooting any problems that come up, 138 00:04:31,760 --> 00:04:35,360 and even maybe finding unexpected ways to use the tech. 139 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,560 Imagine a technology steward helping a small business 140 00:04:38,560 --> 00:04:40,880 switch over to a new online payment system. 141 00:04:40,880 --> 00:04:43,520 They might need to provide training, answer questions, 142 00:04:43,520 --> 00:04:45,960 or even discover cool new features 143 00:04:45,960 --> 00:04:47,360 that no one knew about before. 144 00:04:47,360 --> 00:04:48,840 So they're kind of like translators 145 00:04:48,840 --> 00:04:52,320 between the tech world and the community's everyday life. 146 00:04:52,320 --> 00:04:53,520 Yeah, that's a great way to put it. 147 00:04:53,520 --> 00:04:56,720 And then finally we reach the fifth stage, everyday use. 148 00:04:56,720 --> 00:04:57,560 Bring it on. 149 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:58,400 What's the final chapter 150 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,520 in our technology stewards epic journey? 151 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:02,840 This is where the tech truly becomes 152 00:05:02,840 --> 00:05:04,440 like ingrained in the community. 153 00:05:04,440 --> 00:05:06,760 It's not some clunky add-on anymore. 154 00:05:06,760 --> 00:05:08,240 It just feels natural. 155 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:10,360 Like it's just integrated into everything they do. 156 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:11,200 It just works. 157 00:05:11,200 --> 00:05:12,920 So it kind of fades into the background. 158 00:05:12,920 --> 00:05:13,760 You could say that. 159 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,880 Think about a technology steward in a neighborhood group. 160 00:05:16,880 --> 00:05:19,400 They might set up online forums and communication tools 161 00:05:19,400 --> 00:05:20,920 that everyone can use. 162 00:05:20,920 --> 00:05:23,440 But after a while, those tools are so essential 163 00:05:23,440 --> 00:05:25,000 to how the group communicates 164 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:26,400 that they don't even think about them anymore. 165 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,400 They just become like how things are done. 166 00:05:29,400 --> 00:05:31,160 You know, this makes me wonder about all those groups 167 00:05:31,160 --> 00:05:34,400 that I'm in and if there are like some unsung tech heroes 168 00:05:34,400 --> 00:05:35,760 working behind the scene, 169 00:05:35,760 --> 00:05:37,560 have you ever seen someone just naturally step 170 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:41,000 into that technology steward role in a group you were part of? 171 00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:42,760 Like what made them so successful? 172 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:43,680 That's a great question. 173 00:05:43,680 --> 00:05:45,920 It's often someone who's really passionate 174 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:49,200 about both the community and about technology. 175 00:05:49,200 --> 00:05:50,320 And they have this knack 176 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:52,360 for bringing those two worlds together. 177 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:54,440 But before we get too deep into that, 178 00:05:54,440 --> 00:05:56,280 maybe we should take a minute to recap 179 00:05:56,280 --> 00:05:58,560 what we've learned about these technology stewards. 180 00:05:58,560 --> 00:05:59,760 Yeah, I think that's a good idea. 181 00:05:59,760 --> 00:06:02,440 We've covered a lot, so a quick review would be helpful. 182 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:04,760 So we started by talking about communities of practice. 183 00:06:04,760 --> 00:06:07,920 You know, copy-peace and how they use technology in some way. 184 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:10,200 And like you listening right now, 185 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:11,720 you're probably part of a few yourself, 186 00:06:11,720 --> 00:06:12,680 maybe more than a few. 187 00:06:12,680 --> 00:06:14,880 And you might not even realize it. 188 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:16,800 These technology stewards, 189 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:20,160 well, they kind of emerge as leaders in these groups. 190 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,640 Breaching that gap between like the whole tech world 191 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:26,800 and what the community actually needs to really thrive. 192 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:27,640 Exactly. 193 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:29,880 And it's not just knowing how to, you know, 194 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,400 fix a computer or install some program. 195 00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:34,520 It's like they're tech savvy guides. 196 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:36,240 They really get their community 197 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,360 and they can find those like perfect tech solutions 198 00:06:39,360 --> 00:06:41,400 to help everyone achieve their goals. 199 00:06:41,400 --> 00:06:42,600 Yeah, that's a good way to put it. 200 00:06:42,600 --> 00:06:45,080 And remember those five key things we talked about. 201 00:06:45,080 --> 00:06:47,560 Community understanding, technology awareness, 202 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,760 selection and installation, adoption and transition. 203 00:06:50,760 --> 00:06:53,320 And then finally, everyday use. 204 00:06:53,320 --> 00:06:54,480 Those are the steps they take. 205 00:06:54,480 --> 00:06:57,360 It really is pretty amazing how they wear so many hats. 206 00:06:57,360 --> 00:07:00,080 From understanding what the community needs to, 207 00:07:00,080 --> 00:07:01,880 you know, keeping up with all the newest tech 208 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:04,080 to then actually helping everyone learn 209 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:05,320 and use the new tools. 210 00:07:05,320 --> 00:07:07,880 It's like they're like tech whispers. 211 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:09,680 I like that, tech whispers. 212 00:07:09,680 --> 00:07:11,640 And their role really boils down 213 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:14,640 to making technology work for the entire community. 214 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:16,680 So it's not a burden, you know, 215 00:07:16,680 --> 00:07:18,920 it's just a natural part of how things get done. 216 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:21,280 That makes me wonder though, how does a community, 217 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:23,000 like how do they recognize 218 00:07:23,000 --> 00:07:25,200 and empower these technology stewards? 219 00:07:25,200 --> 00:07:26,720 Is it like a formal position? 220 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:28,200 Do they get a special badge? 221 00:07:28,200 --> 00:07:30,680 Or is it more like, you know, informal? 222 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:31,680 That's a great question. 223 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:33,600 And honestly, it depends on the cop. 224 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:35,920 Sometimes it just happens naturally, you know, 225 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,440 someone steps up and everyone kind of sees their expertise, 226 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:39,800 their willingness to help. 227 00:07:39,800 --> 00:07:42,160 But sometimes, especially in bigger organizations, 228 00:07:42,160 --> 00:07:44,600 it might be a more like official role. 229 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:46,880 So it's not so much about having a fancy title, 230 00:07:46,880 --> 00:07:49,160 but more about having that like trust 231 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,320 and respect from the community. 232 00:07:51,320 --> 00:07:53,640 You mentioned earlier how technology stewards 233 00:07:53,640 --> 00:07:56,280 are often, you know, trusted advisors. 234 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:58,520 Why is trust so important in this role? 235 00:07:58,520 --> 00:08:00,880 Well, trust is huge because technology stewards 236 00:08:00,880 --> 00:08:03,680 are making decisions that affect the whole community, 237 00:08:03,680 --> 00:08:06,680 you know, they're often handling sensitive information, 238 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:09,040 managing resources, bringing in new tools 239 00:08:09,040 --> 00:08:11,120 that can completely change how people interact 240 00:08:11,120 --> 00:08:12,760 or like work together. 241 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:13,840 A lot of responsibility. 242 00:08:13,840 --> 00:08:16,480 It's like they're like digital Sherpas or something, 243 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:19,000 guiding the community through uncharted territory. 244 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:20,480 Everyone needs to feel confident 245 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:21,960 in their judgment and expertise. 246 00:08:21,960 --> 00:08:23,680 I like that, digital Sherpas. 247 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:26,160 You know, because technology is so powerful, 248 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:27,880 there's also a certain responsibility 249 00:08:27,880 --> 00:08:29,640 that comes with technology stewardship. 250 00:08:29,640 --> 00:08:30,720 Oh, that's interesting. 251 00:08:30,720 --> 00:08:32,040 What kind of responsibility? 252 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:33,760 Well, one thing is that technology stewards 253 00:08:33,760 --> 00:08:36,640 have to be very aware of like potential risks 254 00:08:36,640 --> 00:08:38,800 and unintended consequences. 255 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:40,840 You know, just because some new technology exists 256 00:08:40,840 --> 00:08:42,360 doesn't mean it's always the right solution 257 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:43,560 for a particular community. 258 00:08:43,560 --> 00:08:44,920 Oh yeah, that makes sense. 259 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:47,240 It's so easy to get caught up in the excitement of new tech, 260 00:08:47,240 --> 00:08:48,520 but it's important to take a step back 261 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:50,360 and think about the downsides too. 262 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:53,720 Absolutely, technology should be empowering communities. 263 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:55,400 You know, not creating new problems 264 00:08:55,400 --> 00:08:56,880 or making old ones worse. 265 00:08:56,880 --> 00:08:57,880 It's all about that balance, 266 00:08:57,880 --> 00:09:01,080 just like we talked about with selection and installation. 267 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:03,680 It's not about always going for the latest and greatest, 268 00:09:03,680 --> 00:09:05,480 but what's appropriate and, you know, 269 00:09:05,480 --> 00:09:07,600 sustainable for the community in the long run. 270 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:09,280 Yeah, I'm starting to see how this whole 271 00:09:09,280 --> 00:09:11,840 technology steward thing is way more nuanced 272 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:13,400 than it might seem at first glance. 273 00:09:13,400 --> 00:09:15,160 It's not just about being a tech whiz. 274 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:18,840 It's about understanding people, making heart choices, 275 00:09:18,840 --> 00:09:20,840 and, you know, having the best interests 276 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:22,320 of the community at heart. 277 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:23,160 You got it. 278 00:09:23,160 --> 00:09:25,920 And as technology keeps advancing so quickly, 279 00:09:25,920 --> 00:09:28,120 the role of these technology stewards 280 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:30,080 is only gonna become more and more crucial 281 00:09:30,080 --> 00:09:31,920 in helping communities, you know, 282 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:33,440 navigate the digital world 283 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:35,640 and use the power of technology for good. 284 00:09:35,640 --> 00:09:36,680 It's almost like a calling. 285 00:09:36,680 --> 00:09:38,160 Like they're on a mission to make sure 286 00:09:38,160 --> 00:09:40,160 that technology is used responsibly 287 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:42,040 and ethically within their communities. 288 00:09:42,040 --> 00:09:42,880 Yeah, I think you could say that. 289 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:45,880 It's about much more than just, you know, the latest gadgets. 290 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:50,400 It's about creating a healthy and sustainable relationship 291 00:09:50,400 --> 00:09:52,720 between technology and the community itself. 292 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:54,840 And that's something that everyone can be a part of, 293 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:56,840 even if, like, you know, technology steward 294 00:09:56,840 --> 00:09:57,920 isn't on your business card. 295 00:09:57,920 --> 00:09:58,760 I love that. 296 00:09:58,760 --> 00:10:00,840 It's a good reminder that we all have a part to play 297 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,440 in shaping how technology affects our communities. 298 00:10:03,440 --> 00:10:04,400 Exactly. 299 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:07,200 By understanding these principles of technology stewardship, 300 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:09,480 we can all become more, like, informed 301 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,240 and engaged citizens in this whole digital age. 302 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:13,080 That's a great point. 303 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:16,560 But before we wrap up this fascinating deep dive, 304 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:18,560 I have one more question that's been on my mind. 305 00:10:18,560 --> 00:10:19,800 We've talked about all the great things 306 00:10:19,800 --> 00:10:23,400 technology stewards do, but is there ever, like, a downside? 307 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:25,400 Could there be any, like, challenges 308 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,200 or even risks to having them? 309 00:10:27,200 --> 00:10:28,200 Hmm, that's a good question. 310 00:10:28,200 --> 00:10:30,120 It's important to look at the whole picture. 311 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:31,680 While they can be super valuable, 312 00:10:31,680 --> 00:10:34,560 there are potential downsides, for sure. 313 00:10:34,560 --> 00:10:36,440 One thing that comes to mind is the risk 314 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:38,760 of becoming too reliant on technology. 315 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:39,600 Yeah, I see what you mean. 316 00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:42,280 Like, if you have a tech steward who is so excited 317 00:10:42,280 --> 00:10:45,000 about all the cool new tools that they forget about, 318 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,760 like, the value of face-to-face interaction 319 00:10:47,760 --> 00:10:50,480 or, you know, maybe more traditional ways of doing things. 320 00:10:50,480 --> 00:10:51,320 Right, exactly. 321 00:10:51,320 --> 00:10:54,800 Technology should be there to, like, support the community 322 00:10:54,800 --> 00:10:57,600 and enhance things, not take over completely. 323 00:10:57,600 --> 00:10:59,160 It's about finding that balance. 324 00:10:59,160 --> 00:11:01,760 So imagine, like, a community garden 325 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:04,960 where the technology steward is so focused 326 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:07,760 on setting up, I don't know, a fancy automated watering system 327 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:10,960 and all these sensors, that the members end up spending 328 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,680 less time actually, you know, gardening together. 329 00:11:13,680 --> 00:11:14,720 Yeah, that's a good example. 330 00:11:14,720 --> 00:11:16,120 Like, they're kind of missing the whole point 331 00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:17,840 of the community garden, which is connecting 332 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:19,480 with each other and with nature. 333 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:20,360 Exactly. 334 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:22,960 Another potential challenge is making sure 335 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:25,120 that the technology that's chosen 336 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:28,160 really does benefit the entire community, 337 00:11:28,160 --> 00:11:29,680 not just a select few. 338 00:11:29,680 --> 00:11:31,040 Right, you don't want a situation 339 00:11:31,040 --> 00:11:33,520 where the technology steward is only thinking 340 00:11:33,520 --> 00:11:36,400 about the, like, most tech-savvy people 341 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:38,240 and leaving everyone else behind. 342 00:11:38,240 --> 00:11:39,440 That's right, it's really important 343 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:41,200 to make sure everyone can participate 344 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:43,760 and, you know, benefit from the technology, 345 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:45,080 regardless of their skill level 346 00:11:45,080 --> 00:11:47,360 or how comfortable they are with new things. 347 00:11:47,360 --> 00:11:49,240 So, for example, if a community center 348 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:52,520 decides to go completely online for, like, event registration, 349 00:11:52,520 --> 00:11:54,320 they have to consider those who aren't comfortable 350 00:11:54,320 --> 00:11:56,800 using computers or don't have internet access. 351 00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:58,560 You can't exclude those people. 352 00:11:58,560 --> 00:11:59,400 Yeah, absolutely. 353 00:11:59,400 --> 00:12:00,640 This has been really eye-opening, 354 00:12:00,640 --> 00:12:03,320 this whole conversation about technology stewards. 355 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:05,840 It's clearly a lot more than just knowing 356 00:12:05,840 --> 00:12:07,160 how to use the newest gadgets. 357 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:09,960 It's about leadership and responsibility 358 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:11,800 and understanding how communities work. 359 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,000 You said it, and that's exactly why it's so important 360 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:16,760 for communities to really talk about technology. 361 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:18,400 You know, have those open conversations 362 00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:20,280 and really think about the role 363 00:12:20,280 --> 00:12:21,760 that technology stewards play. 364 00:12:21,760 --> 00:12:24,520 It's not about being anti-technology, 365 00:12:24,520 --> 00:12:26,000 but being smart and intentional 366 00:12:26,000 --> 00:12:27,880 about how it's used in the community. 367 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:30,200 That's a great point for our listeners to think about. 368 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:31,720 Technology stewardship is something 369 00:12:31,720 --> 00:12:33,000 we should all be thinking about. 370 00:12:33,000 --> 00:12:34,720 Whether we're in a small knitting group 371 00:12:34,720 --> 00:12:37,560 or a big global community online, 372 00:12:37,560 --> 00:12:39,200 we all have to make sure technology 373 00:12:39,200 --> 00:12:41,520 is being used to benefit everyone 374 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:43,720 and, you know, to make those connections stronger. 375 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:44,800 I couldn't agree more. 376 00:12:44,800 --> 00:12:46,240 Well, that wraps up our deep dive 377 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:48,000 into technology stewardship. 378 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:51,120 We've learned about how these, like, tech-savvy guides 379 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:52,640 work, the challenges that come up, 380 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:56,280 and how to find that sweet spot between innovation 381 00:12:56,280 --> 00:12:59,080 and, you know, keeping the heart of the community strong. 382 00:12:59,080 --> 00:13:00,840 It has been a fascinating conversation. 383 00:13:00,840 --> 00:13:02,680 I think so too, and I hope this deep dive 384 00:13:02,680 --> 00:13:05,560 has given you, the listener, some new ideas 385 00:13:05,560 --> 00:13:07,840 and maybe inspired you to think critically 386 00:13:07,840 --> 00:13:11,400 about how technology is being used in your own communities. 387 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:13,720 So until next time, stay curious, 388 00:13:13,720 --> 00:13:23,720 stay connected, and keep exploring.