Never have we had greater access to knowledge than we do right now…

Limitless information resides all around us. Advancements in technology are enabling people to access that information and gain knowledge quicker than ever before. But is this a good thing? Have we become so dependent on technology that we can no longer cognitively think for ourselves? What is technology doing to humanity?
In many ways I think technology has opened the door for people to expand their horizons and learn things they otherwise would not have. Being able to watch a step by step video on how to build a deck, fix a truck, or even cook a delicious meal has value as it serves to increase people knowledge in new areas. The real concern is whether or not technology starts to impact our creativity and problem solving skills. Without such skills, what would happen when things break or fall apart? Technology has the ability to do a lot of good, but as we all know, machinery can break and sometimes not work properly. There will be point where we need to be able to do things for ourselves and maintaining our ability to think critically and creatively will be key.

Who are we to believe?

The Internet has produced a read, write, and post culture. It has enabled people to publish information as quickly as they write it, allowing amateurs and the average Joe to report on anything and everything.
People now have the ability to report on the news both as its happening and after it happens, exposing the raw news to the public without any boundaries or guidelines. Similar to open code that is free, transparent, and modifiable, news reports can benefit from the collective intelligence of the people within a community. This type of freedom to participate truly embodies the concept of the open Internet and the idea that collaborative efforts between people can lead to better results.
Many people believe that this type of reporting is more accurate than ones from mass media outlets that are funneled through institutional biases and control measure’s…. but are they really? Doesn’t everyone have their own biases that can affect the way they view a situation. Can the average Joe really be considered an accurate source? These questions lead to the bigger question: Is the gatekeeping function of traditional journalism threatened and undermined by participatory media?

Networks and Social Capital

NETWORKS & SOCIAL CAPITAL_1

#madeforsports

The real time immediacy of news and information that Twitter affords has had a significant impact within the sports industry. The live nature, excitement, and suspense of sport was in need of a communication medium that could report about it as it was happening and Twitter does just that. People are using Twitter to follow their favourite teams, players, sports writers, as well as other fans that have similar interests. It has become a medium that is serving to forge connections and a community around a sports team.
Twitter is being used by sports teams in a number of ways to engage with fans all around the world. It enables live tweets of events as they happen, often being used to provide play-by-play and colour commentary to interested fans. Twitter is being used to bridge the gap between teams/players and their fans, allowing for conversations to occur. Team media personnel are using Twitter as a form of a press release where breaking news can be broadcast to the public. Marketing personnel are using Twitter to establish and enhance brand development through picture sharing, promotional campaigns, and various polls/contests. Twitter is truly bringing the experience out of the sports to a wider audience, which is creating connections and growing networks.

World Changing

Emerging technologies are facilitating a level of cooperation that society has largely been disconnected from. Social networking sites and wiki’s are enabling global collaboration amongst individuals and organizations. Significant gains in research and development through this more efficient use of resources, serves to further increase the likelihood of achieving shared goals and solutions to societal issues/problems.
Online networking is serving to promote ideas of collaboration, where many hands working together are better than one person working alone. Through collective cooperation, there is strength. There is the general will to make things better and to make things right. This can lead to individual and organizational success but also serve to make a difference in the in the world by possibly developing ways to improve our environment, healthcare, education, etc. The resurgence of networked collaboration and cooperation are connecting individuals and building communities based on a shared purpose and mutual trust…. It truly is world changing…