2010 and Beyond: The Matrix Era

10 Years ago, a revolution was started. A movie known as the The Matrix had been released in theaters all across America, changing how people saw technology and the ways it impacted our lives.

What was so special about The Matrix, was that it pointed out that most of us live in augmented realities, becoming so immersed in our own lives, that we didn't take the time to enjoy what was happening around us. When was the last time you sat quietly, turned off your iPhone and enjoyed nature? With so many people wrapped within their lives; going to school, working, going to the gym, socializing with friends, updating your Facebook status, I wouldn't be surprised if quite a few of you said no.

Have you noticed how we are beginning to move towards an age where we can be able to manipulate data at our will? I wouldn't be surprised if, in the next 10 years or so, some company released glasses with a real-time HUD (Head's Up Display), to view stock quotes, weather, and sports updates while walking down the street. Heck, we already have somewhat achieved this with the iPhone and many other smartphones. I'm actually eager to see how to the iPad will impact the mobile media scene as well. So, while on your way to class, or just walking somewhere, stop and carpe momentum you never know what you might discover.

Mobile Social Network A GO GO

Mobile social networking is going to eventually take off. Caroline McCarthy states that because no one owns a smartphone, mobile networking is not ready for primetime. Younger generations are moving more towards smartphones. Many know what GPS is.

I have a BlackBerry with GPS, data-plan and people can find me checking my email and facebook in the little free time I have in between classes. My younger brother just bought the Boost Mobile Incognito with GPS, full keyboard, and web browsing capabilities. Many times I see people post on facebook, the site will actually say via Facebook for Mobile Phone, Blackberry or iPhone.

Social networking on mobile phones is the way to go when not next to the computer.

Learn a Lesson from the New Kids on the Block

How hard can blogging really be? You're talking about an organization of brilliant minds that can't even do this one simple task effectively. No wonder there's an uprise of the younger generation in the work force. We (younger generation) spend most our times on the internet facebooking and twittering. We're on our phones more than any other generation, except maybe the next up and coming generation.

Companies don't know how to communicate on a personal level with their consumers. They write extremely long boring blogs, like we have nothing better else to do. Companies also are too worry that competitors are reading their blogs. So what if they are? What does that change? We are a generation that does the total opposite. We are always looking for ways to keep things short and get to the point. And in general we also dont care about what anyone else reads.

Companies, get it together and take a page out of our books.

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/08/09/10-harsh-truths-about-corporate-blogging/

Face Booger, Tweedle-bop, and My-splice Hoopla

"When I was your age, we didn't have all that face booger, tweedle-bop, and my-splice hoopla! If we wanted to talk, we had to send letters to each other!"

It always tickles me when I hear an older person complain about the technological wonders of today, and try to make comparison to the days of their time. But have you ever listened to an older person and wondered if the endless series of tubes known only as the internet has subconsciously made us lazy? I'm sure Doris Lessing would agree.

To be honest, I would agree as well...to an extent. I feel as though we rely a bit too much on the Internet. It has made us impatient, distracted, and lazy. However, it has made us more resourceful, productive, and smarter. I mean, Lessing does have a point as chat slang has spilled out into the media, but it doesn't mean that the Internet makes everybody dumb. Using the words LOL, OMG, and ROFL will earn you the rank of being "hip" in the cyber world, but they are by no means necessary in real life vernacular. I've actually heard teenagers riding on the Metro use these words as if they were apart of the English dictionary; they are not bad words, they just don't belong outside of your computer.

http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/12/09/nobel-laureate-says-the-internet-makes-us-dumb-we-say-meh/

What exactly is crowdsourcing?

In recent readings, I've come across a new term first coined in Wired magazine. As mentioned in the the title, crowdsourcing has become a popular trend in the corporate playing field. As to my understanding, crowdsourcing usually takes place when a company is faced with an initial task or problem that must be solved. Rather than spend 100K+ to bring in a contractor, the company posts the issue online as a sort of 'broadcast" to all takers. Now, is there a difference between this and outsourcing? Quite honestly, you shouldn't be too worried, as crowdsourcing is more contractor based. But what does it mean for those contractors who are being passed by for a cheaper alternative? Who else benefits from crowdsourcing other than the company? In what ways do you think that this will this impact employment?

I ask you fellow students, what is your take on this?

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/03/is-crowdsourcin/

Social Capital, Six Degrees, and Social Network Analysis

I was reading the Social Network Analysis article and thought it was very interesting how far we've come with social networking. In school I had a pen pal and we would enclose pictures of ourselves. Now we can do all this and more (like video chatting) through the internet and it will get there in a few seconds. While reading the article of Social Network Analysis, a found a link to Barry Wellman's twitter page which led me to an article called

The Children of Cyberspace: Old Fogies by Their 20s

Most of us know that a Kindle is not a book but a device that holds electronic versions of books. But what about newborns that are growing up with with technology that our generation (I'm 20 years old) had to at least become accustom to. There are two year olds out there that believe that Kindle = Book and kids that go up to computer screen and swipe there finger across it (ipod touch notion) to get some type of reaction. According to the article people in their 20's spend 2 hour/day talking on the phone and checking emails while our siblings (igeneration) spend more time texting.

Researchers are expecting this younger generation to be less patient and will expecting a immediate response to anything they communicate with. I wonder how social networking in companies will change in the future with the expectations of the younger generation?

Hi you guys know my name if you are on this page. I am a junior in the business school. My specialization is in Information Technology. I'm a true Washingtonian, born and raised in DC and yes I do commute, even though it is a headache.

Here is a site every student should have?