The Internet: Friend or Foe?

Wow!!

One word to describe my reaction to both these articles

So far, I've only been reading and hearing about how great the internet has made the world. How it's connected people from across the world in ways we never would have imagined 20 years ago. How it has allowed the flow of information to reach different parts of the world in a matter of seconds.

I completely disagree with what Doris Lessing said, quoted in Nobel Laureate Says The Internet Makes Us Dumb, We Say: Meh. I think the internet has allowed those with internet capabilities to access tons of information very quickly. The internet has been a detriment in one area though, social interaction.

The face to face interaction we encounter with one another has been dwindled down to Skype/AIM/MSN. We no longer have to physically walk to someone's house or meet up for coffee if we want to "catch up". It removes the experience of human interaction and makes us socially awkward. An example of this is internet dating.

The second article I read, The Digital Emperor Has No Clothes, bashed mostly on bloggers. I don't think bloggers are trying to take away the credibility of writers for The New York Times or The Washington Post. Bloggers are trying to express an opinion or different side to the story. There are always two sides to a story and its always interesting to know both sides. Web 2.0 can allow for an amateur blogger/writer to gain merit or a credibility through other credible writers/authors/bloggers. So there is a system in place that can allow readers to realize the authenticity of an article or blogger along with the information contained within it.

That's it for this week

Stay Tuned! CHANDOO OUT!

Elementary My Dear Watson

The internet has allowed for users to become innovative! The whole idea of crowdsourcing is something I would have considered a fad. Taking ideas and suggestions from people around the world and having experts work on those ideas is a very unconventional type of teamwork. Innovators, such as the average blogger/inventor are playing a crucial role in the success of many companies.

Users and companies seem to share a similar relationship to that of Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes. It's pretty cool how these two relationships benefit from one another, according to CBC- The-Current- Cambrian House Crowdsourcing. Its like companies are outsourcing ideas. Something I thought never could have been outsourced.

The following article I read, Big Firms Eye 'Open Innovation' for Ideas, really complimented the first. It also showed the alternative reaction of this relationship between independent inventor and big company. The big company can literally STEAL of the inventor's idea pitch. SO at the same, we as the average person, should watch out for this and make sure all the necessary forms be filled.

I found that crowdsourcing is the new way for both inventors to be creative and make a living, other than the conventional 9-5 job, and for companies to get an edge of competitors by having that outside thinking. At the same time, I feel that ethically, there can be some gray areas that can be exploited by the companies.

Interesting materials I looked at. Pretty cool stuff.

Stay tuned next week! CHANDOO OUT!

Social Capital, Six Degrees, & SNA

For my first week's blog post, I have decided to comment on the article/video I viewed:

"YouTube: Visualizing The US Senate by Social Graph" [video]

&

"Improving Your Ability to Share and Connect" [article]

For the video I watched, I realized how informative it was to use a social graph. I never realized one would be able to see how a group is performing, or the unity of the group, just through the use of social graphing. It was very cool to see how our two political parties, Democrats and Republicans, were fairing in the various events we experienced here in the US. I suggest viewing this video for yourself.

It's hard to go one day without Facebook; now I know why. Its amazing to read how Facebook has to constantly keep up with customer needs and the 21st century. We are constantly yearning for more information and a easy way to access it; Facebook provides us with that, in a social environment. Facebook has come a long way since 2004, and I can see why it has lasted and has stayed as popular as long as it has.

Personally, I don't like frequent change. We all know about how much and often Facebook modifies or updates its site. Though I may not "Be A Fan", in order for Facebook to maintain its competitive edge in the ability to connect and share amongst the world, Facebook NEEDS to keep improving and updating constantly.

I had never thought about this till now

Stay Tuned Next Week....CHANDOO OUT!

The Pledge

This is the first blog I have ever written. I'm a student at American University and blogging is an essential part for the course I am enrolled in. This is no ordinary blog you may run in to. I will be relating my posts to some aspect of the business world. This is how i will do it...

Every week, I will be required to enter a new blog on articles or readings have completed for the week. I will share my insight weekly. Don't worry, I promise to keep it insightful and bore free. Stay tuned. CHANDOO OUT!

“On my honor, all posts on this blog are my own”