'This house believes that our adoption and elevation of social media and digital technologies is undermining human skills and values'
In brief, where once we made special efforts to put people before products, now it is the other way round. Platforms and process dominate the scene. Excitement about technology and the need to be up-to-date combine to make online work seem cool and no-one wants to be left behind. But this is simply a fashion, which like all fashions will be replaced by the Next Big Thing. However, while flared trousers did little long term damage, online research will de-skill a whole generation of researchers from their ability to create empathic enquiries.
We were delighted to welcome 4 very experienced practitioners to this inaugural ICG debate:
For the motion: Dr Sheila Keegan, Campbell Keegan, seconded by Roy Langmaid, The Langmaid Practice.
Against the motion: Paul Hutchings, Kindle Research, seconded by John Griffiths, Spring Research / Planning Above & Beyond.
In the chair: Andrew Smith, ICG Chairman.
Finally, Robin Shuker, resplendent in tartan trews, provides us with the address to the haggis.
Click on the links to the right for key highlights of the evening.