As I have said before, we
are in the midst of the transition from the 'Industrial Age' to the
'Information Age' and are experiencing major changes and disruptions similar to
those experienced when our country transitioned from the 'Agricultural Age' to
the 'Industrial Age'. Many organizations, business practices, skills,
values, and behaviour that worked well in the past have become outdated and are
changing with the times.
The Internet, computer chips, social media, mobile devices, and other disruptive technologies of this Information Age are spreading around the world and bringing about major changes in business practices, government functions, and our culture. What does this all mean to us? What is going to happen? What will be replacing our existing system of government and way of life? I don't think any of us know for sure but we need to all participate in an 'open' discussion about the future we want. Let's stop spreading messages of 'doom and gloom', publicly debate the issues, and figure out the way forward.
In my previous blog, Open Revolution #7, I mentioned an article in the January 30, 2012, issue of Time magazine entitled "Command and Control" that described one scenario that is playing out that "We the People" may not want to accept. The article stated that, "The rise of big stateless corporations, which now rival many countries in terms of economics and political clout, poses special new challenges to governments." Will our Nation State system give way to a new global Corporate State system? Will elected government officials bought and paid for by corporations determine our future for us? Do "We the People" have the power to challenge this trend? Or, are is it too late?
I believe our future lies along a better and more 'open' path - and many others have apparently come to the same conclusion. We now have the technology to start a more 'open' dialogue on the Internet and across social media sites. This is all part of what I call the global 'Open Revolution' that is well underway as witnessed by the Arab Spring, Tea Party, Occupy Wall Street, and other activities and events taking place in the U.S. and across the world. There are business and political leaders that believe they have the answers and can impose their will on everyone else. However, hundreds of millions of people who have joined the 'Open Revolution' and happen to disagree with many of today's leaders.
Take a look at the growing support behind the 'Open Access' movement, at the growing support behind 'Open Data', 'Open Standards', 'Open Source', 'Open Communities', 'Open Culture', and the 'Open Revolution'. If you haven't been paying attention to the growing global 'Open Movement' it may behoove you to start learning more about it. Visit some of the organizations and web sites supporting the movement and pay attention. Check out –
I see the strategies of global collaboration,
pursuit of 'open solutions', and continuous innovation as being key to our
future – the future of America and for the rest of the world. What do you
think?
