Here’s a short video that beautifully explains the early history of the Internet through infographics.
Posts Tagged ‘Internet’
The History of the Internet
Monday, March 1st, 2010
Clay Shirky Talk
Sunday, June 21st, 2009
Clay Shirky is amazing! In this chat, he continues to explore the impact of the Internet on the media landscape that touches us everyday. As the medium for all other media, the Internet has enabled an environment previously unseen in human history. Consumers are now also producers. Massive use of technologically “boring” tools enable new and exciting forms of communication. I can’t imagine a more exciting time to be alive!
An Informed Voter in the Information Age
Sunday, July 27th, 2008
As an undecided voter in the upcoming presidential election, I try to spend some time listening to the candidates speak. I try to avoid listening to pundits. This approach is largely facilitated by the Internet. The ability to see the candidates speeches in full and on demand is extremely valuable. No longer am I subject to hearing what people think the person is saying, I am empowered to listen and decide for myself. Overall, the breath of the experience has been significantly increased.
Take, for example, my experience tonight listening to Barack Obama’s Berlin speech. I had not heard the actual speech, but I was interested. I was able to quickly find the entire speech on You Tube. I then stumbled onto a video on the NYTimes online regarding the event. This included some nice interviews with some people at the actual event. It was like watching a sporting event, but also enjoying the pre-game show; I really got a better feel for the day. It was much richer experience.
In today’s world, there is no reason a voter should be uninformed, or more importantly, misinformed. Why listen exclusively to pundits and become victim to an echo chamber? We are now empowered to listen to the actual ideas of a candidate in their full and unadulterated form. We are also empowered to express our views and ideas regarding these ideas. Is this not preferable to being told how we should interpret these things? I, for one, am happy to have the opportunity to better inform myself and define my views with dialogue that is not dictated but evolving.
Origins of a Revolution in Information
Monday, June 16th, 2008
The NYTimes’ article “The Web Time Forgot” is on the amazing, Paul Otlet. He is credited as being the father of information science. He created the conceptual framework for the new way in which we consume information. The words were a bit different, but the ideas are very alive today.
In 1934, Otlet sketched out plans for a global network of computers (or “electric telescopes,” as he called them) that would allow people to search and browse through millions of interlinked documents, images, audio and video files. He described how people would use the devices to send messages to one another, share files and even congregate in online social networks. He called the whole thing a “réseau,” which might be translated as “network” — or arguably, “web.”
Make sure not to miss the little video included with the article.
