Present day discussions revolve around technology whether we are aware of it or not. Cell phone apps, morderination to equipment, enhancement in software capabilities, new music streaming sites, television and movies, vacuum cleaners, shopping, advertising, the list goes on and on. Along with the surface discussions surrounding technological applications comes a deeper dialogue. What is technology doing that is shaping and will shape our world tomorrow, the next day and the next year. Kevin Kelly’s book The Inevitable goes even farther. He explores the 12 forces that will shape the next three decades.
I have not been more excited about tomorrows potential as I was once completing this book. While there are many moral and societal discussions that must take place with the creation and advancement of technology, one thing is for certain, burying ones head in the sand and pretending change is not coming is simply naive.
What I found even more interesting in Kevin Kelly’s work is The Inevitable he talks about has nothing to do with “things”. It is not about the next TV or computer or device, rather the 12 constructs or forces that will bring about change to such physical creations. Change is upon us and the rate of change is not slowing down. Understanding potential directions of those future flows and the pace at which they are moving will help our understanding, application and hopefully, decision making.
I encourage each and every one to delve into any one of Kevin’s 12 chapters and stay for a while.
Becoming: Things will change faster
Cognifying: Things will have intelligence
Flowing: Things will be streamed
Screening: Things will be on screens
Accessing: Things will be on the cloud
Sharing: Things will be Shared and collaboratively created
Filtering: Things will be personalized
Remixing: Things will be edited and remixed
Interacting: Virtual Reality will increase
Tracking: Things will be tracked
Questioning: Questions will be more important than answers
Beginning: Things will continue changing