At the Cutting Edge of the New Frontier of Cyberspace
by Craig Lock
"At the Cutting Edge of the New Frontier of Cyberspace"
by Craig Lock
"The next information revolution is well under way...It is
not a revolution in technology, machinery, techniques,
software, or speed. It is a revolution in CONCEPTS."
(Drucker, 1998) "
"Money is what fueled the industrial society. But in the
informational society, the fuel, the power, is knowledge.
One has now come to see a new class structure divided by
those who have information and those who must function out
of ignorance. This new class has its power not from money,
not from land, but from knowledge."
- John Kenneth Galbraith
"The future belongs to those who apply knowledge with
innovation and resourcefulness to find new paths - in
business and in life."
- Craig Lock and Bill Rosoman
INTRODUCTION:
In this short piece, as we "pioneer in the field of
cyberspace", I'm sharing a few thoughts on the place of
technology in these early days of the "Knowledge Economy",
which may be of interest. My thoughts apply to my little
(and "adopted") home country of New Zealand in particular,
but I believe the basic (very over-used word!) PRINCIPLES
apply world-wide.
Bill Gates once described the "Information Age as the "Wild
West of Cyberspace." A few years ago, he also said there
would be two kinds of businesses in the year 2001: 1. those
online and 2. those out of business!
What is knowledge?
"He who receives an idea from me receives instruction
himself, without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper
at mine receives light without darkening me." - Thomas
Jefferson
We are becoming ever-more a "knowledge society" - with the
rapid diffusion (big word!) and exchanging of huge amounts
of information daily. This makes the sheer volume of
knowledge difficult to absorb.
A few personal thoughts... I believe NOW is an ideal moment
in history to look with fresh eyes at the kind of society we
want to create, in a world, where knowledge is replacing the
old sources of wealth and power as the driving force in the
world's most successful societies.
In recent years we are seeing "little" New Zealand's rapid
transition from a pastoral to a knowledge economy (and
society), as we are fast "catching and riding the knowledge
wave". I believe it's more "an age of wisdom" in sharing
information world-wide through the amazing power of the
internet.
Businesses MUST "get with the times" and respond by
embracing the enormous international opportunities offered
by the Internet. It's either ADAPT or DIE ("a slow lingering
death").
I believe that we should be finding new paths for social and
economic development. New Zealand's economy and society need
to be driven far more by knowledge, technology and
innovation than in the past. I feel we need to urgently seek
a STRATEGY for this "NEW KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY" that we are
living in. We should "forge, mould and hew a knowledge
society out of the old by catching this immensely powerful
Knowledge Wave"... then riding it like the giant waves from
the winter storms at Waimea Bay in Hawaii - to the absolute
best of our individual abilities.
Here in far-off New Zealand (near the bottom of the world),
I believe we have an excellent foundation to be extremely
successful in the global economy. However, we must move
speedily ahead to be a far more "knowledge-driven" economy;
otherwise we could become "also rans" in the
ultra-competitive global market place.
I truly believe that many New Zealanders have not yet
recognised that the Internet is the modern equivalent of the
'freezer ships of yonder', that revolutionised our economy
last century. As we enter the twenty-first century, the
Internet will be our 'key vessel' for reaching global
markets from these far-off "sleepy shores".
In doing this we WILL find new paths for social and economic
development. Knowledge is replacing the old sources of
wealth and power, as the driving source in the world's most
successful societies. We must become a "knowledge export
platform"...and that is the vision for my little business,
Eagle Productions based in provincial NZ.
In effect, we are creating wealth through the
comercialisation of ideas. We are utilizing to the fullest,
the amazing creative potential of the human IMAGINATION to
reach the world.
"The "digital divide": In the future there will be a
widening gap between those with the skills in the new
technological age and the "not so well off", those "poor
souls", who have not put in the effort to aquire or update
their computer and technological skills. It is a matter of
using our resources wisely in this "digital age."
Here in NZ I believe, we need to be driven far more by
knowledge, technology, innovation and renovation. The first
step is transforming the innovative spirit that allows we
"Kiwis" (New Zealanders) to turn no.8 wire into innumerable
useful tools around the farm, into a commercial operation.
It's simply a matter of "sharpening the pencil" of New
Zealand's focus from agriculture to e-commerce.
Refocussing existing economies and enhancing existing
products (traditional, such as agriculture and horticulture)
through adding value via the world wide web. Utilising the
best of the old, yet with the hope and optomism of the "new
world".
USE Information Technology with all the amazing powers of
the world wide web . With the web and e-mail, we must always
keep technology in perspective - by using it for 'ease of
communication at the click of a mouse', to make our lives
easier and market products and services around the globe
efficiently and cheaply in the early days of this "New Age
of Wisdom"!
Each individual has a responsibility, a great opportunity,
to utilise their utmost potential to gab this "moment in
history", this "heartbeat in eternity".
Make technology WORK FOR YOU -: for your (and your family's
good, your business and especially your country.
It's the spirit of its people that makes a country, any
country, great...so
build not walls, but bridges
Craig Lock
It is not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can
do for your country."
- charismatic former US President, John F. Kennedy
"The spiritual is stronger than any material force, thoughts
rule the world."
- the great and inspirational American
philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The nations that will be successful in the information
revolution may be large or small, and are unfettered as to
hemisphere. Assuredly, however, they will have invested in
the critical information, computer. social and Internet
infrastructures." (McGovern, 1998)
"I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it."
- Jonathan Winters
Books by Craig Lock are available at: http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/books.html
http://www.novelty-gift.com/ebooks.html and
http://www.bridgeniche.com/
P.S: Don't worry about the world ending today... it's
already tomorrow in "little" scenic and tranquil New Zealand
THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
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