STWR - Share The World's Resources

Bill Stevens

A Catalyst For Change

Many years ago the computer giant IBM embarked on a research project. IBM wanted to look into the future of computing. They wanted to know where the frantic pace of technological development would lead? What would computers look like and what would they be capable of? The fruit of this research became a concept which IBM named “The Dyna Bookâ€Â�.

The Dyna Book, would be a small hand held device with the overall size and appearance of a hard back book. It would understand and communicate using human speech, while images and video would be displayed on a colour screen set in the front cover of the book.

But the most remarkable aspect of the Dyna Book, would be its ability to hold within its electronic covers, the entire sum of human knowledge! More than a mere encyclopaedia, one could talk to the Dyna Book, ask it complex questions, and receive an answer immediately.

Does this sound like a science fiction fantasy? At first glance it probably does. However, by combining the information freely available on the Internet today, together with a modern laptop computer or PDA, perhaps we are not as far from the Dyna Book as we might first imagine.

If we had a Dyna Book today, what would it actually contain? If it held the sum total of human knowledge, what would that be? Naturally it should reflect the truth, good or bad. So if you asked it to compare your current salary with the average income in the developing world, would we be shocked to find that 2.8 billion people, more than half the people in developing countries, live on less than $700 a year. Many probably would.

The Internet is still some way from becoming the Dyna Book IBM dreamt of. But you can still ask it such questions, and you can still be shocked by its answers. But as we shall see, it can be far more than a mere repository of human knowledge.

The Internet has had a profound effect on the world. For the first time in the history of humankind, ordinary people from all over the world are able to access information previously beyond reach. From statistics and academic research, to spiritual and cultural knowledge. The Internet is changing the way we look at the world. For example, we no longer need to rely upon the traditional national news media. There are many hundreds of news sources freely accessible on the Internet, each providing a different political, cultural or religious perspective on current affairs.

The Internet also provides a unique environment for new organisations with new idea's and perspectives to flourish. A simple Internet search engine will provide access to countless organisations working within a particular field of interest. Just type the phrase “Human Rightsâ€Â� into google and see what you get! Never before has humankind had the ability to be so well informed, and this information is transforming our understanding of the world and its people.

If the status quo is maintained through ignorance, then the ability of the Internet to inform will surely shatter that ignorance. Until recently this ignorance has allowed the politicians and corporations to exploit and sublimate the developing world. But now that we are free from the blinkered view of traditional media, we can see the results of government foreign policy and corporate greed. We can see it first hand from those whom it affects. From farmers fighting for the right to use GM free seeds, to ordinary Iraq's relating daily life under US military control. The Internet is keeping us informed.

So we can no longer remain in ignorant bliss. The Internet brings the realities of the world right into our homes. And with it comes the desire for knowledge, understanding and change. We want to know why a particular thing is happening, we want to know what is driving it, and if we don't like it, how can we change it? This need to know has provided fertile ground for the surge of organisations seeking to inform, educate and motivate us.

In just a few short years the Internet has transformed world society. We now have a tool to reveal truth and teach understanding. But what of change? What can the Internet revolution do to change things?

In a word: Participation.

If you want to change something, you must first become aware of the need for change, you must become informed. Next you need to talk, to communicate your thoughts, feelings and idea's with others. Then by joining and co-ordinating with others you can become the force for change.

The latest generation of web sites, this one included, provide a way for you to actively create and participate in initiative's to effect change. These web sites allow you to express your thoughts, idea's and opinion's. You can discuss and debate issues with people from all over the world. You do not need to be a computer wizard to do this. If you can press keys on your keyboard, you can participate. This is the start of the next Internet revolution, and it is right here, right now!

Web sites such as this one with its forum's and chat room's, facilitate the meeting of minds and hearts, allowing the free flow of idea's and information. From this will inevitably rise the course of action required to effect change, together with the body of people to implement it!

Hmm, revolutionary stuff you might say.

Well... Yes!

It is a revolution. The Internet has broken down the geographical barriers, and is enabling people from all over the world to talk. I marvel at the prospect of reading a forum discussion with contributions from a German academic, a Brazilian shop keeper and an Indian farmer, and I can only wonder at the solutions they may come up with.

In participating, every citizen of the world has a role. From factory workers to university professors. Nursing mothers to tribal leaders. The more we talk, the more we understand. The more minds on a problem, the quicker that problem can be resolved. Technology has created a wonderful tool through which we may all have a voice, and have that voice heard.

Sharing is at the very heart of social, political and economic justice. By sharing the world's resources, we can overcome the inequality and misery endured by the majority of the world's population. If we are to succeed in this we must begin by sharing information to inform, sharing thought's to inspire, sharing idea's to create solutions.

So participate. Be a part of the change. Make it happen. Use the forum's on this web site and others, to share your idea's, thoughts and opinion's. Share your knowledge, share your experience with the world. We all have something to contribute.

Politicians may have any number of personal and party agenda's. But the one thing they all respond to is public opinion. In a democratic society, a politician must respond to public opinion or risk losing the next election. It is as simple as that. So for all those wishing to make a positive difference, it is important to create that opinion and make it heard throughout the world.

When IBM first looked at the future of computing, few could have guessed at the revolution about to unfold. The development of the Internet and its ability to share knowledge, is one of humankind's most important achievement's. But more importantly still, is the effect and influence this knowledge will have. How it will bring people together. How it will create change.

Bill Stevens is a member of STWR, an IT consultant and a life long worker for peace and justice.

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment