Riding the crest of the wave

noreply@blogspirit.com () — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 12:05:00 -0500

I think I make a reasonable effort to keep pace with technology trends. Certainly, I like to know what geek-toys are out there, whether I own them. Mostly, I try to keep the big picture in mind of what's happening and what might be coming along.

On the other hand, while I've been aware of social-networking sites like Facebook and MySpace, I've not paid much attention. Neither have I really gotten into open-source applications like OpenOffice and Wiki. My job doesn't "require" it so I've been satisfied to know it's there and that it's a phenomenon. I've also taken a look at vlogs like hotair. Don't want to miss something important, mind you.

But yesterday I surfed by fastcompany.com and watched this video on Web 2.0. I was somewhat blown away by the number of new technologies (Ajax, for example. Okay, it's not really a new technology.) and the ways they are being used. Or maybe it's the proliferation of new websites. I don't know. There's a lot going on that I don't need, haven't really pursued, and can live without. But I'm thinking there is a trend building that will affect my life - and my kids' lives - and my grand-kids lives (way, way down the road) in ways I haven't really thought about.

These technologies are morally neutral as far as I can tell. It is what people do with them that makes them good or bad. For example, our IS Manager brought the subject of a work-Wiki up in a meeting the other day. He's mentioned it before, but I am starting to see how we can use it at work. There are some exciting possibilities there.

In other news, I just finished reading Glenn Reynolds' "An Army of Davids". Glenn is a libertarian and it comes through in his writing, in the book, on instapundit.com, on glennreynolds.com, etc. I thought he strayed from his thesis a few times, and for some of his predictions (like the Singularity), well, let's just say I'm in a wait-and-see mode.

That's all for now.

bloganovel - tech

Riding the crest of the wave