Mar
28
Central Government Madness
March 28, 2008 |
I have now calmed down a bit about some bright sparks idea that Transformational Governement equates to converging a bunch of web sites that have little to do with one another and are existing happily, in the most part, in their own areas. DIUS decided that not only should the HEFCE site be ‘converged’ with the rather feeble DIUS web site, but so should associated organisations like JISC. It seems that the idea of portals is news to central government and the fact that portals are less and less relevant hasn’t even crossed their befundled minds. Clearly I am biased but should the JISC site be required to c’onverge’ then this would be catastrophic for JISC’s work and its position in the education community, distinct from direct governemental influence.
Anyhow a ‘business case’ has duly been created and sumbitted to the mad bureaucrates who decide such things - time will tell whether we have been successful and the blindingly obvious has been understood.
I must admit to feelings of considerable nausea whenever the dead hand of central government reaches out and touches. Another example of such lunacy is the recent-ish white paper on Innovation. It appears that the notion of creating a framework and a set of guidelines for organisations to ‘innovate’ seems like a sensible idea to someone. Surely innovators don’t need, and presumabaly shun, any notion of centally directed innovation - a wise man (Charlie Leadbeater to be precise) recently said that ‘innovation is brought about by remarkable people in remarkable organisations’ (or words a bit like that!) - I think he meant ‘exceptional’ when he said remarkable as opposed to something that should just be remarked upon, like a stumbling new government department struggling for a role.
