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AT_THE_CUTTING_EDGE_OF_THE_NEW_FRONTIER_OF_CYBERSPACE
| AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE NEW FRONTIER OF CYBERSPACE
In this short piece, as we "pioneer in the field of cyberspace",
I'm sharing a few thoughts on the place of technology in these
early days of the "Knowledge economy", which may be of interest.
"I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it." -
Jonathan Winters
"AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE NEW FRONTIER OF CYBERSPACE"
by Craig Lock
"The next information revolution is well under way...It is not a
revolution in technology, machinery, techniques, software, or
speed. It is a revolution in CONCEPTS." (Drucker, 1998) "
"Money is what fueled the industrial society. But in the
informational society, the fuel, the power, is knowledge. One
has now come to see a new class structure divided by those who
have information and those who must function out of ignorance.
This new class has its power not from money, not from land, but
from knowledge."
- John Kenneth Galbraith
Bill Gates once described the "Information Age as the "Wild West
of Cyberspace." A few years ago, he also said there would be two
kinds of businesses in the year 2001: 1.those online and 2.
those out of business!
What is knowledge?
"He who receives an idea from me receives instruction himself,
without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine
receives light without darkening me." - Thomas Jefferson
We are becoming ever-more a "knowledge society" - with the rapid
diffusion (big word!) and exchanging of huge amounts of
information daily. This makes the sheer volume of knowledge
difficult to absorb.
We are seeing "little" New Zealand's rapid transition from a
pastoral to a knowledge economy, as we are fast "catching and
riding the knowledge wave". I believe it's more "an age of
wisdom" in sharing information world-wide through the amazing
power of the internet.
Here in far-off New Zealand (near the bottom of the world), I
believe we have an excellent foundation to be extremely
successful in the global economy. However, we must move speedily
ahead to be a far more "knowledge-driven" economy; otherwise we
could become "also rans" in the ultra-competitive global market
place.
I truly believe that many New Zealanders have not yet recognised
that the Internet is the modern equivalent of the 'freezer ships
of yonder', that revolutionised our economy last century. As we
enter the twenty-first century, the Internet will be our 'key
vessel' for reaching global markets from these far-off "sleepy
shores". I think that we should be finding new paths for social
and economic development. Knowledge is replacing the old sources
of wealth and power, as the driving source in the world's most
successful societies. We must become a "knowledge export"
platform...and that is the vision for my little business, Eagle
Productions based in provincial NZ.
In effect, we are creating wealth through the comercialisation
of ideas. We are utilizing to the fullest, the amazing creative
potential of the human IMAGINATION to reach the world.
"The "digital divide": In the future there will be a widening
gap between those with the skills in the new technological age
and the "not so well off", those "poor souls", who have not put
in the effort to update their computer and technological skills.
It is a matter of using our resources wisely in this "digital
age."
Here in NZ I believe, we need to be driven far more by
knowledge, technology, innovation and renovation. The first step
is transforming the innovative spirit that allows we "Kiwis"
(New Zealanders) to turn no.8 wire into innumerable useful tools
around the farm, into a commercial operation. It's simply a
matter of "sharpening the pencil" of New Zealand's focus on
e-commerce. Refocussing existing economies and enhancing
existing products (traditional, such as agriculture and
horticulture) through adding value via the world wide web.
USE Information Technology with all the amazing powers of the
world wide web . With the web and e-mail, we must always keep
technology in perspective - by using it for 'ease of
communication at the click of a mouse', to make our lives easier
and market products and services around the globe efficiently
and cheaply in the early days of this "New Age of Wisdom"!
Businesses MUST "get with the times" and respond by embracing
the enormous international opportunities offered by the
Internet. It's either ADAPT or DIE ("a slow lingering death").
Make technology WORK FOR YOU -: for your (and your family's
good, your business and especially your country.
Craig Lock
"The spiritual is stronger than any material force, thoughts
rule the world." - the great and inspirational American
philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson -
Creative Writing Course
http://www.nzenterprise.com/writer/creative.html
The various books* that I "felt inspired to write" are available
at: http://www.novelty-gift.com/ and
http://www.bridgeniche.com/CLOCK/zaniestbooks.htm (Free
chapters) * Hard copies and e-books: Fiction and non-fiction,
novels on South Africa, travel, humour, inspiration, self help
and money books
All proceeds go to needy and underprivileged children - MINE!
"The smallest-largest and zaniest bookstore in the Southern
Hemisphere."
http://www.craiglock.com and
http://www.elkpublications.com/godzone.htm
"The nations that will be successful in the information
revolution may be large or small, and are unfettered as to
hemisphere. Assuredly, however, they will have invested in the
critical information, computer. social and Internet
infrastructures." (McGovern, 1998)
THIS ARTICLE MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED.
P.S: DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE WORLD ENDING TODAY, IT'S ALREADY
TOMORROW IN "LITTLE, SCENIC AND TRANQUIL" NEW ZEALAND
About the author:
Authors Note:
Craig Lock has been successfully marketing various products
online for over four years.Craig is a writer, who believes in
encouraging and helping others to find their talents and gifts,
to strive for and accomplish their dreams in life, whatever they
may be. He truly believes people can overcome obstacles, rise to
any occasion, and accomplish their "impossible" dream with
enough faith and commitment.
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