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.