The forthcoming SCL
Conference ‘Back to Basics: the Technology’ had me reflecting on the
dangers of nodding along in apparent understanding. It was certainly a tendency
of mine in earlier years when not understanding technicalities about which I
felt I should really have some grasp – I recall specifying the need for a JCB to
support the ceiling on the demolition of a downstairs wall; fortunately my wife
insisted on a RSJ. Now there is a new danger – tech, digital and cyber are
lurking everywhere, and make fools of many, even I suspect some SCL members.
It’s easy to empathise with the subjects of this
story from the Daily Mash.
But if you have found yourself nodding along with clients
talking at a technical level which leaves you feeling like a country bumpkin in
Geekville then SCL is offering a helping hand. SCL is assembling an array of
experts ‘to bust through the jargon and explain how things work, without too
much bamboozlement’ at the SCL
Conference ‘Back to Basics: the Technology’ on 19 September.
I ran through the various areas to be covered and found to
my horror that I didn’t even understand 50% of the acronyms so I am a prime
candidate for this sort of input. The organisers say that they aim to answer
many of the questions that seem too silly to ask. It is clear that they are
assuming very little knowledge but I think there will be a considerable demand
from those who once knew quite a lot about the workings of tech but who now
find that the language and the assumptions have moved on and that they are
clandestinely searching terms which they have nodded along to in earlier chats.
‘Knowledge is freedom and ignorance is slavery’ we are told,
but I venture to suggest that pretended knowledge and hidden ignorance are the
more likely fetters on tech lawyers’ freedom. Here’s an opportunity to liberate
yourself – and maybe impress and outmanoeuvre those who are still nodding
along.
The Conference may also suit junior lawyers who are true
digital natives too. So many know exactly how to make things work at a facile
level but stumble in naming the parts when the metaphorical bonnet is lifted. Since
being ace at Facebook is not a skill much respected by tech clients (at best,
it probably guarantees mild contempt), a better tech grounding might well be
needed. Since SCL
has made special provision for ‘rising stars’ to attend the Conference at a
very much reduced cost where a full price delegate from the same firm is
also attending, the chance to acquire deeper knowledge seems irresistible – and
it can’t hurt to be called ‘a rising star’.
