2011 a year that has many reasons to be different.

There are many reasons why astronomers study the stars and galaxies, the scientists look for new discoveries, and the architect is always in search of a new concept. But what is the reason for technology to be improved? THINK about this...

• Do we need cars to go faster -- the more cars on the road, the slower we will travel due to "traffic congestion" This generation has already created a new form of anger called "road rage".
• Do we need more ways to stay alive longer -- isn't it a fact in all cultures, no matter what your beliefs, that humans do die (I realize there are some that believe in reincarnation, but to be reincarnated, you have to first die from one life to live another) AND If we live longer that means we work longer and endure the "suffering" of humaness (a new word). So what is the purpose in living longer -- to say we "did it"!?
• Do we need technology to invade our privacy any more -- afterall, we can already track your home online; the once valued "safe haven" we all held so dear. AND every conversation you have can be heard through cell phone networks, IM, Skype, etc. Need I say more?

So in "Thinking Technology" for the year 2011 and beyond, what and why do we need MORE technology. How are we going to make "life" better if we never really enjoy the simple yet distinct moments that make us human --

• the quiet and thoughtful ride to work,
• the family reunion and listening to the stories about "the good ole days", and
• a "home" that's doors are only unlocked by the residents who live there.

I think the word "advancement" may take on a new meaning-- "the creative mind that WAS known before the human factor defined "progress".

Just a thought or two. ;-)

2010 is nearing the end!

Here we are at the end of 2010 thinking about what we are going to eat for turkey day, what bowl games to watch, how we are going to celebrate Hanakah/Christmas and afford the gifts, and of course, realizing the end of the year means Taxes are going to be reported and due when when a new year begins.

This seems to be the same as the year before with the exception that it was the end of 2009. Or is it the same? Did you accomplish goals in 2010 that you set in 2009. Were the days the same or did you make an effort to have a "different kind of year"?

Really. Do we actually make "change" or is it inevitable? Can we repeat our lives year after year and not realize that every moment is based on our thoughts and how we carry out those thoughts. Change seems to be the "word" that many use to represent progress, however no one wants to be accountable for the changes happening!

I realized that my life is not so much what others see, but it is more about what I see. That scares me. Because I have to see "all of me"! I can hide the parts of me I don't want the world to see, but I can't really hide it from me.

So, again I am thinking, its the end of 2010 and what did I do this year?-- Did I make changes? -- Are there moments in my life I am not living? --Can I change those moments so that when I look at me, I am not scared and I don't have to hide "parts of me" because my actions, my life, are really ME!

Oh, by the way, I am vegetarian so I won't eat the turkey, but I will be giving "thanks" for a wonderful life,; I will be watching as many of the bowl games as possible; I am going to see all my family for Christmas and not "spend" on gifts rather "spend" time; and taxes, well that is a given... I am accountable to pay them and I will. This doesn't mean I like it, but I can't have Oz everyday! Or can I?

2011 here I come!

Forces of Technology - Are you one of them?

The changes that have occurred in the economy over the past 20+ years are true indicators that technology is the driving force of "industries"! That means ALL industries rely on the "force of technology". So, what is this technology?

In its simplest form - Networks! And it has a very important attribute - Communication!

So the technology driving the force of the economy (industries), is "a network of communications!" To make the network "work" we have to be able to support the communication modes unique to each industry. This is the challenge of technology. Every industry has its own "language" (communication mode) and every country has its own language (communication mode). So for technology to work it must be able to adapt and learn the communication modes of both the industry and the country. And when the technology is able to reach across industries and countries we view it a "global"! Or if you are looking for a definition, global is simply to mean "worldwide, without boundary, unified, comprehensive, and all-inclusive."


The global economy is just that -- global! This means there is a dependency on the entities within the global economy. If there is a "miscommunication" in one of the entities it will have a direct effect on another entity in the global economy. This is the "all-inclusive" part of global and it can be either beneficial or detrimental.


So where do you come in? Or do you? In all actuality, you do not have a choice. You are a "user" of the global economy -- each time you use your credit card, read a blog, call on your cell phone, and even send your kids to school, you are using the “networks of communication” in a global economy. It is “how” you use the networks that determines the overall impact to the economy.

Now for the reality check - “We are either a part of the problem or the solution”.

It is hard to imagine someone doing something without any knowledge of what they are doing, but that is exactly what has been occurring over the past years in the global economy. People have been "puppeting" one another to “make it rich”, increase their "welfare", and compete for the "big dollar". Unfortunately, the outcome has been an overall "breakdown of communication" on the "network of communication".

There has been a loss in "educating the professional" - to using a "template" to "create a profession"! Can we really ignore this? Has our economy become a "template network", non representative of all the communication modes it embodies? Shouldn’t we rebuild networks with an "educated and professional" skill base incorporating the necessary communication modes of each industry and country? I think so.

So again I ask, what is technology? What are the "forces of technology"? Are you willing to "puppet" the next five plus years of so-called "progress" or are you going to become responsible and educated in a global economy?


Think about this-- There has to be "users" on a network in order for it to be a viable force of communication. As with the economy, if it is just maintained, it will not progress, and if it does not progress it will not be useful. Share this article and dialogue with others these thoughts. Maybe we can and will begin a "new" network - a network built on an educated and representative sample of a global economy that is defined as "comprehensive" and communicates "progress for all!" dh