CIO Goes To BootCamp

[davelampron]

Software is eating the world

Here's two quotes to illustrate one of the reasons I'm taking a coding bootcamp:

'Software is eating the world'. This phrase was coined in 2011 by tech investor, Marc Andreessen. In essence, this prescient statement forecasted the emergence of software companies' disruption of traditional industries (e.g. Airbnb, Amazon, Netflix). Look around you, things are becoming increasingly digitized. It's part of an ecosystems humans created.

One of my favorite quotes is Arthur C. Clarkes' "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." My observation has been, that at the rate that technology is advancing, that to many, it does start to feel like magic.

Thinking something is magic when its learnable and explainable is a potentially dangerous thing. At best, it creates a dichotomy between those who are technologically conversant and those who are not. At worst, it creates a growing segment of the population who are increasingly lost in a world that is digitizing at a breakneck speed.

I'm increasingly noticing a digital capability gap: Traditional workers who view technology as an add-on; Leaders and decision makers increasingly make flawed and hasty decisions as they don't understand how technology magnifies both well-thought out approaches as well as flawed ideas.

So, one reason that I'm taking a coding bootcamp is to peer behind the wizards' curtain. Through modernizing some old programming skills, I'm aiming to feel like I'm an active participant in the digitization of the world rather than a passive observer.

photo: midjourney 'Why software is eating the world'

#codingbootcamp #midcareer#relevance#future#from web2 to web3#technology#computing#humanity

[davelampron]

Rekindling a passion for the things that technology can create and enable: CIO Starts the Bootcamp

I'm a 50 year-old 'technology professional' who has decided to take a coding bootcamp. I'll plan to post my reflections on this blog. I'll introduce myself for context, then in subsequent posts unpack my rationale for taking a program like this, reflections about the bootcamp experience, and various other musings.

A bit about me...

I've been working in a tech related field for ~25 years. I had the blessing of working at a large research University for most of that time.

Working at a University allowed me to see many things, many technological advances: from the rise of the internet to the emergence of Artificial Intelligence. I was able to experience the life of a 'renaissance' IT professional. A time early in the technology profession where one might get to do a bit of everything: system and network administration, web development, application programming, user support, project management, audio visual

...Jack of all, master of...

The technology profession has understandably become much more specialized.

As my career progressed, I found myself pulled into increasingly management focused positions. Every position 'ascension' was increasingly less technical (and more political). As this happened, I felt a 'pang' each time at the thought of losing my technical skill and being potentially farther away from where the creativity happens.

I now find myself as the 'Chief Information Officer' for a small Community College. The 'Chief' IT guy. However, I very rarely 'do IT' (except in my spare time). In a future post, I might unpack what a CIO in post-secondary does. ...Suffice to say it isn't technical.

Part of my rationale for attending a coding bootcamp is reinvigorating dormant technical skills and rekindling a passion for the things that technology can create and enable.

Photo: Midjourney "rekindling a passion for the things that technology can create and enable"