New Passion, Old Passion, New Passion

I started this online journal back in 2005 as part of a course I was taking in the doctoral program at Pepperdine University. Today I am starting to write in it a new as I reflect on my life in the early mornings as I rise. I have become an early riser and thoughts pop into my head about my life and where I want to go. I intend to use this space to capture those thoughts and ideas and reflect upon them weekly. Today I want to capture a brief thought I had about my career in Information Technology. I have been a software programmer since 1987. In recent years, I had decided that I no longer had any passion for this field and I began to search for a new passion. That journey is another story. But recently, while writing my dissertation and studying the history and application of computing and problem solving something came to mind. Perhaps I still like problem solving and computer science--the practice of solving problems with the aid of a computer--but maybe I need a problem that has meaning for me. Something that I am passionate about solving. For years, I have solved problems for organizations that I care very little about. That thought generated another one which was. What problems do I care about? Well my dissertation is centered around the problem of "Why Are There So Few African Americans in Information Technology"? African Americans have a myriad of problems that need solving, and I have always resonated with those who have taken up this quest. Leaders such as Dr. King and Malcolm X. Can I use computing and my vast experience with technology to solve a problem that has meaning for African Americans? If I can do that then maybe I would have meaning in my work. I see the root cause for many of the problems that plague the African American community as being the way we think. I understand why many of us think the way we do and I am not interested in analyzing that here, however, can technology be used in a way to persuade, to change our way of thinking. Recently, MIchael Lang of Black Digerati introduce me to B.F. Fogg's work and his book Persuasive Technology. He suggests that technology can be used and is being used precisely to that end. I have much more to think about.

Warmest Regards,
Kai