Dec 21 2008
Introducing… The Web 2.0 Guy!
Okay, to start off, I’ve got to pay my dues to Netflix, and not just because it beats Blockbuster any day of the week. Owners of the Roku Netflix player received an update today for high definition streaming capabilities, which I think is freaking awesome. The future of video distribution definitely lies in streaming (not Blu-Ray), and the steps Netflix is making toward a wirelessly connected future really get me excited. I don’t really own a Roku player, so I’m not as psyched about the news as I am about the idea. I can still stream Netflix onto my Mac, so I’m not complaining.
But that’s not what really gets me stoked. Well then what was it, you ask? Was it rumors for a new netbook from Vaio? Nope, that’s not it either, although it’s a good guess. I’m a sucker for netbooks. Well, was it that cellphone that’s all rigged up to detect HIV and malaria in blood?
That’s all well and good, but I’m not all that impressed. So what was my highlight for the day? I know it’s not as flashy as some of the other news, but this is my blog not yours. What caught my eye today was a transcript from an interview with Tim O’Reilly, the guy who invented the term “web 2.0″ and a huge advocate of open source. An influential character, to say the least. The discussion was largely about the modern ideal of the individual clashing with the Internet’s new collectivity. When users interact across the Internet, they lose part of their individuality, they share a part of themselves. And companies that depend on the collective knowledge of their users become stronger companies. Individuals release some of their rights for the sake of the collective, while the efforts of the collective let companies make amazing applications, which return to the individual.
Some interesting questions on privacy and transparency are brought up as well. I encourage you to read the article. All right, that’s enough for today. Good night, one and all! I’m going to bed.
