The Power of Connecting People
Sep 28, 2008 Uncategorized
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Vint Cert, on the Official Google Blog, wrote about The Next Internet. There are a number of interesting points in the article, and really, I have to say that the future looks like it’s going to be really interesting – with the Internet growing as fast as it is.
That said, there is one point I disagree with him about.
The flexibility we have seen in the Internet is a consequence of one simple observation: the Internet is essentially a software artifact. As we have learned in the past several decades, software is an endless frontier. There is no limit to what can be programmed. If we can imagine it, there’s a good chance it can be programmed.
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I don’t fully agree with that point.
I think the real power and flexibility of the Internet isn’t the programming – it’s the people. It’s the way that the Internet connects people together. And when you connect people together, amazing things can be done.
As an example, take what Melanie Baker wrote in a comment on one of my previous posts: “To date the best way [of finding unique and lesser known gems online] I’ve seen is still to have a great network of smart and curious people and remain tied into to their word of mouth.” Can software replicate that? I’m not fully convinced yet.
That’s my personal belief and opinion, anyway. The real power of the Internet is not the programming – it’s the people. Yes, the programming has come really far, tools that do amazing things have been developed. But at the end of the day, what’s most important is the people and the connections being built around it.
That’s the true power of the Internet, and what makes it truly and endless frontier. When you connect people together, anything is possible.
[?]Creating Value by Removing Things
Jun 17, 2008 Uncategorized
Many of you have probably seen the “Garfield minus Garfiled” comics by now. If you haven’t, you should check it out.
Travors created it, by removing Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, producing “an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life”.
Removing one part of something can cause you to look at it in a whole new way.
And sometimes, value is created not by what you add, but by what you can remove.
[?]Why I’m Not Using Plurk
Jun 7, 2008 Uncategorized
I’ve got an account on Plurk, but after checking it out for a couple of days, I’m not really using it.
Daryl, who has become a huge proponent of Plurk, has been sharing some of his reasons for choosing Plurk over Twitter. His reason number 4: it provides closer/more intimate conversations. And in a way, I don’t disagree.
But that point is precisely why I’m not on Plurk. The downside of more intimate conversations is that there tends to be more “mindless chatter“, as Daryl put it – and as evidenced by this thread. Yes, it helps build closer relationships, but from an outsider – if I’m not following everyone in that conversation – it doesn’t add much value, just noise.
It’s sort of related to what Mitch Joel wrote about why he tends to reply using Direct Messages instead of @ replies on Twitter, and why I personally don’t write much about my personal life here.
Yes, there’s a place for Plurk, I’m not denying that. It’s just a completely different dynamic, and not one that’s suited to me. I’m looking not just for conversations, but for intellectual, stimulating discussions.
I try to keep my personal conversations private, for two reasons. firstly, to not add too much noise. And secondly, because in a mass conversation like that, chances are – for me personally – I would have trouble keeping up and giving due attention to everyone.
Sonny Gill wrote that “Twitter is the conference and Plurk is the party“. And personally, I’m just not much of a party person.
So yeah, if you’re looking for me on Plurk, chances are you’ll find my account, but not me. I’m not on it anymore. I’m waiting (and hoping) for Twitter to get back up.
[?]Most Valuable Player
May 8, 2008 Uncategorized
Image via WikipediaSo, Kobe Bryant has finally gotten the MVP award.
I’ve always been a fan of Kobe – he’s got the ability to do things that nobody else can. And I think he definitely deserves to have gotten the MVP award.
I couldn’t agree more with most of the analyses about his win. It’s not just about being the best player individually. Statistics-wise, Kobe’s probably been one of the best (if not the best) for a couple of years now. But it’s only this season that he’s really stepped up as a team player, and made the rest of his team better.
And that’s what it’s all about. Being the most valuable player isn’t necessarily about being the best. It’s about being the most valuable. And the most valuable is about his importance to the team. Making his team mates better is an important part of that.
The same applies in any sort of team – a school, a business organization, any team/group you’re part of. It’s not just about your performance. It’s about how well you can inspire and bring out the best in others.
How are you bringing out the best in the people around you?
Tags: individual, inspiration, Kobe Bryant, MVP, team work
