I want to discuss the similar concept of collective knowledge by a few authors: Matt Ridley, Shirky and Weinberger
Matt Ridley presented a TED talk entitled "When Ideas Have Sex" (also, similar and more detailed themes in his book "The Rational Optimist")
Matt Ridley spoke of a very broad idea that is essentially over time, as we exchange ideas, we are able to reinvent ourselves. We all know bits, but with collaborative knowledge and cumulative technology, we have gone beyond the capacity of the singular human mind. As a society and a network, we are innovating a new world. His argument was that over time, cumulative technology and knowledge has accelerated the rate of innovation. As we all learn and our knowledge and skills are specialized, we all work for each other. This exchange of products, services, and ideas raises everyone's overall prosperity.
Shirky begins with the underlying idea that humans are psychologically driven to consume, create, and share. The decentralization of the internet makes all these more accessible.
For the media and press, "the Web created a new ecosystem" (60) and changed the game. Not everyone has to defend why to publish something, but because they can, why not? The lack of gates and inhibitions allows for more freedom and flexibility, more niche markets, and, varied points of view.
Weinberger's article presents the idea that we are engaging in a new mode of social knowing. This is a different type of comprehension than traditional models. It encourages understanding. Knowledge is participatory, between all of us and most importantly "conversation improves expertise" (145).
The more everyone can contribute, the deeper the information can develop and get distributed. Pro-am hybrids are a fundamental part of this development. People have interests, we all know something. An essential part is that we share. Pro-ams have both the passion and strive to be credible and develop a professional reputation without an official title. Anderson focuses on the collective power of varying degrees (professionals, amateurs, and pro am hybrids) to create distinctive value in the marketplace.
I'd rather have too much information than not enough, let the voluminous expanse continue, we will adapt.
Great link to the TED talk. Ridley does a great job of explaining how we as a species seem to be able to build off of others ideas. TED talks are always a great way to learn new stuff quickly I hope we cover them more in class.
ReplyDeleteI like the comprehensive coverage on the three authors.
Great find on the TED talk. I find it interesting that you support more information--that tends to be what I like, too, but I have also had conversations with people who feel overwhelmed, and who miss the "good old days" of media gatekeepers. Can we get to a point where we really do have too many people in the conversation?
ReplyDeleteKris, You make a good point, as others do about the more information, the better. I think time is the only challenge to this. I guess we have to become better skimmers. I also like a little gate-keeping if only for that warm-fuzzy feeling that the world is not changing so fast that I will soon find myself saying, "I understand why my parents think everything is still $50." The pace of change is crazy fast!
ReplyDeleteI think this is why people hang on to memories and brands from when they actually "knew" what was going on in the world. We made my father-in-law (who is 73 years old) get a smart phone so he wouldn't be left behind when we use our phones like credit cards! He was resistant to use it at first, but now he gets all of his media gate-keepers on it in RSS feeds and also uses other widgets for blogs!
Talk about adapting and wanting more information!
Can we get to a point where we really do have too many people in the conversation?
ReplyDeleteSure, there can be too many, especially when they become repetitive and don't progress. But since conversation is one major way how we develop information, we will have to understand what to engage in.
The key is going to be how to sort through the information, compile and summarize the best resources, create efficient directories.
It will be an effort of both our programs and technology and our ability to understand, comprehend, and synthesize.
Right now, there is an explosion of creation but the rising generation will be more familiar with the tools and technology and will be expected to produce higher quality and improve, constantly evolving. Step up or get left behind.