Time as the stream we monitor

In my mind, the key point that this article points out is that when resources are virtually unlimited, we view things in entirely different and more powerful ways.

In this case, rather then view the web ("The Internet") as static, we now have the resources to view it as a continuous stream.  This requires vastly more bandwidth and storage than the "originl" web (let alone it's predecessor, UUCP) - but it  ultimately changes the entire paradigm of how we use the Internet.

http://www.wired.com/opinion/2013/02/the-end-of-the-web-computers-and-search-as-we-know-it/

Balance

Neat little interview with Joichi Ito, director of the MIT Media Lab.

His point, technology isn't enough - you need to balance it with sustainability.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57565860-76/ito-think-twice-about-immortality-and-the-singularity/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=title

Intro

We live in exciting times.  Like it or not, mankind (humankind?) is undergoing a dramatic and unprecedented transformation; we are evolving headlong from being just another creature struggling to survive on this planet, to being masters of our reality.   Unlike our fellow inhabitants of this planet, who survive by hunting or gathering, we survive by our ability to modify our environment.

Interestingly, even the nature of this transformation is  evolving very rapidly.  In the blink of a eye we've developed the use of fire, metal, farming,  medicine,  steam,  electricity, nuclear power and a million other ways we manipulate our physical environment.

But I would argue that we've also, very recently, made a  leap that's even more profound than the amazing accomplishments of the past few millennia.  By now, you've probably guessed I'm referring to the "information" revolution.  Mastering fire, metal, etc is important - but as a species we've gotten to where we are because we developed speech, writing, politics(!) and eventually math.  Information is the real tool that allows us to progress.  Initially, our use of that tool consisted of learning how to speak to each other and  to the future (via writing.)  Without the ability to communicate and manipulate information, we would barely be able to survive as a species.

But that wasn't enough, somehow we've managed to take the game to the next level.  As with our development of tools which enhanced our ability to manipulate our environment, we now have started to build tools to manipulate information.

I believe that computers, and the Internet are our first tentative steps in this new and audacious evolution  of human kind.  Not only have we taken communication to a new level, but we have learned how to manipulate the information we communicate in ways we could have never imagined two generations ago.  Communication and manipulation of information, separate but related skills, are the keys to our future as a species.  Without one or the other, we'll fall back to surviving on our physical attributes - which is a losing proposition.

I don't believe there's any turning back.  We'd better get this right ... or we're doomed.

This blog is about that transformation.