Craigslist, Wikipedia, del.icio.us, Skype, MySpace, Facebook, Digg, StumbleUpon, Twitter and on and on.
At first glance, it all seemed so inundating to one's personal life so I easily avoided it - then I looked a little deeper.
There's a massive transition in the way we use the internet. Key word use.
A few years ago websites were mostly non-interactive. Your input was limited - very limited. The net used us. We didn't mind so much, for it was so novel. Remember?
Flashing banner ads, immediate re-direction to a website you didn't want, pop-under ads, pop-over ads - yes I'll admit I used a few of these same techniques for a brief period, when I really just should have written better content.
Back then as a surfer, first you dealt with actually finding what you sought. This was compromised by so called "black hat" search engine techniques. The search engine results were manipulated by spammers so often that the results were rarely relevant.
If you were lucky - you'd find (or stumble upon) a website with value and then you'd likely email your friends with the site's link - or mention it face to face.
It remained word of mouth. Person to person. Group to group. Still, the human element had difficulty prevailing against what at times seemed like a massive techno-foe. Is that a word? ;-)
I guess dissatisfaction spawned the change that began. Instant messaging gained in usage. People began using the net to communicate with each other directly on a massive scale. Forums and newsgroups couldn't compete with real time communication.
Try this experiment. Next time you're in cafe with a wireless connection and you notice someone on a laptop - take a peek at what's on their screen. Odds are they're on a social networking site. They're communicating. Telling others what they like - and don't. Both things online and offline.
They'll also direct others to blogs/websites they've learned from, been amazed and inspired by - and also found to be a serious waste of time.
Sites like Digg, Reddit and StumbleUpon allow you actual input. You share, discover and vote on stuff that's meaningful to you. In turn these Web 2.0 properties (and others) use your opinions/ratings to form collaborative opinions on website quality.
In growing numbers these sites are appearing in search results. They are having a huge impact. The search engines are noticing and a massive shift is happening online.
Individuals and communities are determining what shape the internet will take next - not corporations. Of course they'll be there too but following the trends and catering to them.
Bad news travels fast on the net, and companies/individuals that fail to heed the opinions of the online community with perish.
So what does this have to do with enlightenment? Good question; I'm still trying to figure that out - but I think it goes something like this:
If you choose to sit on a mountain top - without a laptop and a wireless connection that is - you'll do just fine!
However more likely, the internet will continue to be - but not exclusively - a powerful means by which you manage, learn, interact and communicate with your world.
Your discoveries and insights - both online and offline - will find an audience in like-minded individuals. They'll be easier to find with Web 2.0 properties - and more are being added daily.
The potential to genuinely touch lives, teach and be taught - beyond your immediate physical space - will be realized. The ability to be influenced and inspired by others is growing exponentially.
It's happening now!
Free blogging sites and other tools allow you to communicate instantly. By the way, if you've started blogging and want more people to hear what you have to say, check out the last one of the links that follow.
Now back to enlightenment...if there's a moment where you wake up, have a flash of insight or simply find something inside yourself that you'd never seen previously - you can share it instantly with someone in your own online community who may be on the verge of their own discovery.
That "someone" who you've already established shares the same interests and pursuits as you. And they'll share with others. Across the street or halfway around the world - just as instantly.
Imagine... then do.
Here are a few links. Explore and add me if you'd like.
Then locate me at StumbleUpon through VinnieQ or webmaster@optimumself.com
And don't forget to click here if you already have a blog and need some visitors.
No comments:
Post a Comment