Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY)

Graduates told to value old technology

- By William J. Kemble news@freemanonl­ine.com

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON,

N.Y. » Bard College graduates in the Class of 2018 on Saturday were reminded that in an age when social media has been weaponized to undermine social fabric, sometimes the most productive way to achieve beneficial results is old technology.

The comments were made by commenceme­nt speaker Megan Smith, chief executive officer for shift7 and the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer, to the college’s 469 undergradu­ate students and 164 graduate students.

“Sometimes the oldest technology is the most profound,” she said.

“What I love about the hokulea is what the people did ... is they sailed around our planet in a small Polynesian canoe using zero instrument­s,” Smith said. “No compass. Nothing.”

Smith used the example to emphasize that each graduate has significan­t potential without the use of data-driven devices. She then moved forward in time to remind students how the applicatio­n of simple statistics and forms of analog technology can be used to address significan­t social issues.

“How can we have ... wise communitie­s and more just societies in the spirt of Ida B. Wells,” she said. “One of America’s greatest data scientists, she used data and journalism to stop us from lynching people. What might we do to use data science in our communitie­s to help those who would not go hungry if we did that.”

Administra­tors speaking to the students, family and friends asked the graduates to fight against the resurrecti­on of Jim Crow polices coming from leaders in Washington while also listening to what people with significan­tly different views have to say.

“I want to welcome everyone during a time when so many of our so-called leaders are idiots,” said college board Chairman James Chambers. “Weak, cruel, scared, pitiful...We need active, peaceful but boldly courageous opposition to them and to it.”

College President Leon Botstein was actually required to practice one of the pieces of advice when the power when telling students that best satisfacti­on comes from being tested during their endeavors.

“We will experience happiness only ...” he said as the microphone cut out.

After several minutes, and the power restored, he continued “...only if we extend systematic­ally as citizens kindness to strangers.”

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 ?? WILLIAM J. KEMBLE PHOTO ?? Zara Ferro of Los Angeles reaches to give her mother, Louise, a hug during Saturday’s Bard College commenceme­nt exercises.
WILLIAM J. KEMBLE PHOTO Zara Ferro of Los Angeles reaches to give her mother, Louise, a hug during Saturday’s Bard College commenceme­nt exercises.

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