Open Revolution #4 - Ending Closed Systems

Collaboration, 'Open' Solutions, and Innovation are key strategies for creating a better future.

The growing number of protests on Wall Street and across the country by our citizenry reflects the belief that our system of American checks and balances has been circumvented by the influence of big corporations and financial organizations that have made it impossible for the people's voice to be heard. The winter may drive many of the protestors inside temporarily, but I surmise that they will be back in force in the coming year.

Both industry and the government leaders have created a 'closed system' that is ignoring the voice of the people. This in turn has led to a global 'Open Revolution'. People are speaking up and have taken to the street and cyberspace to protest and express their frustration and anger with the status quo. Existing systems that have been 'closed' need to change and become more 'open' and equitable.  Listen to the voices of the 99%.

Business and political leaders who have been selling out our country, putting their own personal or corporate interests first, need to be very wary. They also ought to remember that using their influence to have the police powers of the state used against the people, as they have done many times in the past, never works over the long haul. It simply enflames the people and solidifies their positions. The 99% will be heard.

There's no getting around it. As I have said before, the global 'Open Revolution' is well underway. The Internet, social media, mobile apps, open solutions, collaboration, crowdsourcing, innovation and constant change are all converging and empowering people as never before. Closed systems, closed communities, and close minded leaders do not work well in the 21^st century.

Billions of citizens are now on the Internet and using mobile technologies. These citizens of the 21^st century are 'always on', accessing information and exchanging their views. They are expressing a growing sense of political and economic disenfranchisement and they will be heard. The views of the 99% won't be silenced.

What does this all mean to us and our future? Where will this 'Open Revolution' take us? Will the 'closed' systems and existing business and political leaders change? Or will they be forced out? How soon before we see real constructive change?