Let The Idea’s Roll…
The Internet. The finest invention of all time as well as the least appreciated. Economies rely on it, harnessing it; acting fast and driving profit. Information is power and the internet certainly provides. Unlike industry citizens have been slow to embrace, oblivious to the opportunities presented.
We are learning though, and fast. We can buy, sell, live, learn and lose. It’s a virtual reality.
But what if we were to meld cyberspace with reality to create a hyper connected reality. You’re thinking we’ve already got this. We’ve got social networking, Google, video on demand, we can interact and make a difference. But can we? The technology is there but are we making full use of it? Are the ideas on a par with the technology?
The internet has the power to make our ‘democracies’ truly democratic. We have seen this idea grow online through user generated sites such as Wikipedia and Digg. People from across the globe uniting enthusiastically under an idea. An idea that was once just a twinkle in someones eye.
These sites have grown organically and rapidly solidifying the premise that in people in numbers, united in a cause, can change the world. A spread of ideas is essential to maintaining a healthy democracy. Governments the world over have been called to account, and more often than not the response is to restrict the online activities of their citizens. Why do they do this? Because they understand the nature of power. And the internet has that power.
What is needed? A new movement is needed. One comprised of like minded individuals reaching for freedom of information and speech as well as the chance to make their own minds up instead of being spoon fed by the media monopolies.
Nearly all attempts to date of ‘democratically’ user driven websites have a simple fundamental flaw. They can be manipulated with ease but lack enough transparency for us to prove it. We need a new social network, driven voluntarily by open source developers, devoid of corporate control which will truly reflect the needs of the people. To do this will require capital, but once the idea is developed the rest will flow.
Establishment media argue they know what we need, or do they simply know what they need? We need to be open to new ideas and influence innovation ourselves. Standing by the wayside is a proven route to failure.
This is what I want to create; a discussion of how we can create a truly amazing online experience which has an impact on the way we live, through our own initiative, and not through the intention of making a quick buck.
I have a plan and I will divulge in due time, but I want to hear yours. What are you going to do, or what should we do? Ideas please. Your future is at stake as alternatively we could end up with this…
I have been thinking along similar lines. I think that the Internet is integrating the world more than what would happen without it. The internet is more positive than negative. I agree with the idea of a movement to promote this. I do think that there is plenty of Web 2.0 sites out there working towards this end. WordPress is one of them. Thanks for the post.
yes , you seem very divine. we need to really unite for good ideas . the good things work even with the detrimental efforts who have destructive thinking. but positve and negative need to co exist for the balance.
it will be very nice to know about what you have in mind which is good for the commoners like me.
may god give you still better brain wave to refine what you have in mind
thank you
Interesting post. I love the graphic with it as well. No Impact Man’s blog is a great example of a blog that CHANGES people. Not to mention, the internet has helped expose so much writing, music, art that would otherwise not be seen. Your blog as well is incredibly inspiring, promoting poetic terrorism.
A truly amazing online experience has already begun.
I have been trying to start a micro online communtiy based around my industry, architecture through my website, http://www.youngarchitect.net. I have had similar thoughts and I think that there is no limit to the scale that people can unite at, especially when it comes to industry specific networks.
What prompted me to create the site stems from the fact that all of the established media pertaining to architecture is dull and geared towards a demographic of the industry that only really caters to a small percentage of practicing architects. Furthermore, I have come to find that other blogs have not taken advantage of the internet to offer a lively youthful slant and have also failed to offer anything new.
The question I am left with is…what is that “new thing” that will inspire others to get up and act?
As far as solutions, I look to individual ownership to drive the action. Like MySpace or Facebook, users will come to venues where they can “set up camp” if you will. They can establish an “identity” and post anything from personal pictures to ideas to open discussion. By having an identity, these people can bring their point of view to the conversation. As well, this thirsty hunt for an identity has spurned fast-growing markets of plug-ins, themes, and customization.
The problem with these sites is that they are very corporate and advertising becomes a boundary for progress. Also true individuality is hastened due to the paint-by-numbers aspect of these sites.
In the end, I think that harnessing a “user ownership” within a network is the best way to reach this goal of a heightened online experience. While Digg strives to do this, their content is slightly too broad to really provide its readers with focused content.
The Internet is an amazing thing. Its staggering actually to think what it has made possible.