It has been 50 years since Martin Luther King had a dream and we lost JFK.  They had visions for mankind and I wonder what they would make of the technology governing our world now.  JFK had an interest in technology – he understood the power of using television during his 1960 presidential campaign, and was a driving force behind our first trip to the moon. Consider how revolutionary this was given the cassette tape was only invented in that same year! Even with this amazing foresight, would JFK have imagined this world?

I like to think that if they could have looked forward 50 years, they would have been particularly impressed by the fact that all this technology hasn’t taken away our social conscience. Yes, we’ve all realized we have to remember to do it and work hard at it but this isn’t a cyborg infested world run by cold, calculating machines.  Not only do we have donations from technology millionaires and sponsorship from large corporations but also technology-charity partnerships such as Internet.org, where Facebook and other big hitters are working to get internet access to the two thirds of the world’s population that don’t have it; computer games donating to charities as you play; and offline analysts donating their time and expertise to help others.

What I find particularly fascinating and rewarding is how our technologies are being used in ways they were not originally designed. Google Earth is helping to clear landmines with the HALO trust using it to find and map at-risk areas making it so much safer for their clearance teams. Facebook is being used to reunite victims of the 2013 Oklahoma Tornado with their priceless photos.

In SIMUL8 we make sure that everyone has the opportunity to get involved in causes they are passionate about; whether it’s offering their expertise to charities, getting involved in our local community, or taking time to run marathons and climb mountains!  I’m so proud that it’s become such a big part of our corporate values as we’ve continued to expand.

If you’re interested in getting involved, check out these guys who have all caught my attention – TechSoup , NTEN , UK OR Society Third Sector Chapter.

In case you can’t tell I’m feeling pretty proud of us techies just now, out to prove that we’ve got hearts as well as brains!

Laura Reid, CEO SIMUL8 Corporation
laura.r@SIMUL8.com
@reid_sim