My Position on Women in Technical Fields

The Power of Ordinary People: Insights from Clay Shirky's Here Comes Everybody

Modern technology is transforming the social landscape of our world. Social media enables widespread collaboration and collective action that was impossible just a few years ago. For a long time, we have depended on hierarchical management structures and large institutions in order to accomplish tasks of global significance. Now, however, ordinary people with access to a computer and the Internet are able to publish their opinions and have their voices heard. When many people interact online despite geographic separation, those opinions become palpable. The advances in technology did not create those opinions; it enabled them to be seen. As social technology continues to permeate our society, we see the need for traditional organizations to adapt. The thoughts of ordinary people throughout the world can no longer be ignored, because increasingly complex and important projects are being carried out without the financial and managerial backing of traditional institutions. Considered individually, the actions of one person may not seem important, but taken collectively, the influence of a group of like-minded people can literally change the world.

Education—Important for Women and Men

Although their responsibilities in the family are important, women can and should pursue knowledge and understanding of subjects that interest them. Just as it is wrong for a man to turn down viable educational opportunities, it is a tragedy for a woman to neglect her mind and talents to in the name of putting the family first. At the same time, however, family responsibilities must be met by both men and women. It is as wrong for a man to focus on learning pursuits to the neglect of his family as it is for a woman to do so. As David O. McKay said, "no other success can compensate for failure in the home." This applies equally well to both men and women. The unique combination of these competing priorities in our individual lives requires the active use of personal agency and revelation.

A Great Responsibility

Technology alone cannot further the work of God. The growth of the Lord's church depends upon the righteous use of agency—how we choose to use the tools Heavenly Father blesses us with. As members of the church, we don't have to let fear or the easiness of the way keep us from using computers and the Internet to spread the gospel message. We can act in faith to share light, truth, and love. As we show Heavenly Father that we are willing to use His gifts righteously, He entrusts us with more technologies and inventions to expand His kingdom on the earth.

The Freedom to Innovate

The overabundance of patent lawsuits that companies keep flinging back and forth is making it harder to innovate without stepping on someone's toes. While it is important to reward creativity and original thought, the legal exploits of many corporations are quickly becoming a game that defeats the opportunity for continued generation of new ideas. The purpose of copyrights and patents is to promote innovation and creativity, not to stifle them. When innovators are forced to think inside an intellectual vacuum, the cultural progress of society is stinted.

Open Source: Many Hands Make Light Work

The ideology of large-scale cooperation that comes from the Open Source movement should be applied to more projects. The story of Linux demonstrates that complex software can be successfully developed by people all over the world. What could we accomplish if we applied that idea to other worthwhile endeavors? No one person knows and sees everything; encouraging collaboration makes the work easier, faster, and better. In addition, making individual contributions to a meaningful cause endows one with a feeling of ownership and purpose. To accept the ideas and contributions of strangers requires courage, but a determined and organized group of people scattered across the globe can truly make a difference by working together.