Identity in the Future

The impact of th[e] data revolution will be to strip citizens of much of their control over their personal information in virtual space, and that will have significant consequences in the physical world.

In the future, our identities in everyday life will come to be defined more and more by our virtual activities and associations. 

...

The potential for someone else to access, share or manipulate part of our online identities will increase, particularly due to our reliance on cloud-based data storage (….Storing documents or content “in the cloud” means that data is stored on remote servers rather than on local ones or on a person’s own computer, and it can be accessed by multiple networks and users….)....your online identity in the future is unlikely to be a simple Facebook page; instead it will be a constellation of profiles, from every online activity, that will be verified and perhaps even regulated by government.   

The true cost of remaining anonymous, then, might be irrelevance; even the most fascinating content, if tied to an anonymous profile, simply won’t be seen because of its excessively low ranking. (p. 33)

…a proliferation of businesses that cater to privacy and reputation concerns.  This industry exists already, with companies like Reputation.com using a range of proactive and reactive tactics to remove or dilute unwanted content from the Internet.  A new realm of insurance will emerge, too….to insure your online identity.  (p.38)

Online identity will become such a powerful currency that we will even see the rise of a new black market where people can buy real or invented identities. (p. 39)

Source:

Schmidt, Eric & Cohen, Jared.  (2013).  The New Digital Age—Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business.  (Alfred A. Knopf, NY).

Preaching and Preachers

Very often religious preachers are judged by their appearances, even though people know very well that appearance is deceptive.  When you listen to a religious talk, the most important thing is the meaningful lessons you gain from the talk itself, and not what you enjoy from the preacher or his verbal ability and appearance.  Don't be fooled by such transient values.

Some preachers are charismatic, well-known, highly-respected, and very powerful to their disciples.   Do not judge any preachers by rumors or what others said about him.  Get to know him, live close to him and observe him for a long time before you draw any conclusions.

 It is hard to understand a person.  It is much more difficult and complicated to understand a religious preacher and master, or a spiritual leader.

The rule of thumb is: Never say any thing hastily, lest you should cause harm to yourself.

Inspired by: http://thuvienhoasen.org/D_1-2_2-89_4-18519_5-50_6-2_17-125_14-1_15-1/ky-nang-va-phuong-phap-thuyet-giang.html

A Definition of Genius

Genius= 99% of perspiration + 1% of luck

The Brain, the Internet, and Life on Earth

Nobody can predict what the Internet and life on earth will be like in 10-20 years from now.  Advances in science and technology, especially in artificial intelligence/brain research, have certainly been accelerating the evolution of the Web and the Internet, and human life on earth at an exponential speed.  The issue is who will control what, humans or what humans have developed and created.

If humans are engulfed in  their scientific and technological pursuits, and do not spare time for their social, environmental and ethical development, they could be plunging into a catastrophe caused by their ambition and their way of living.  The giant virtual brain, the Internet Universe, or some ambitious mega and multinational network federation could control humans before humans' realizing it.  Technology, the Web and the Internet are interfering every aspect of human life, forcing humans to make subconscious decisions against their free will. This has already happened, most obviously in human relationships and interactions.

The war between the evil and the good is still going on, as it has been since time immemorial.  The difference this time is that it is the war between what humans have created against the creators themselves.

Online Learning vs. Onsite Learning

Online courses are exploding, and with it there are many arising issues.  Transition from onsite to online education is a natural trend in education in the 21st century and beyond.  Tim-Berners Lee once said that the Internet would bring about a cultural revolution.  This has already happened in education.

A challenge to the concept of nation-state boundaries:  There is no longer physical national boundaries in education.  This is a unique characteristic and a strength of online learning.  The mobilization capacity of online education is huge.  This is especially true for humanities and social, political sciences.

Quality of learning and training (the Depth of Education): There is a difference between learning by doing (application/practice/procedural) and acquiring knowledge (theoretical), but that does not slow down the  online learning movement.  How the instructor uses this method/mode of information delivery is more important than the mode itself.  The focus of learning is always the learner, and his/her learning goal.  The learner must know what s/he wants out of the course.

Quantity of learning and training (the Breadth of Education): This depends on the discipline, and the individual learner's goal and ability of self-motivation and monitoring.  Online learning has boundless capacity and no boundaries.  It is the structure of the course by the specific instructor, and the individual learner's critical thinking and judgment that matter.

Social, interaction, and relationship aspects:  When the community shares one common interest and goal, which is life-long learning and training, it is naturally exciting and highly efficient for learners to get fully engaged and actively participate in the discussion forum.  Such an educational social network is usually wholesome and inspiring.  Participants learn from one another, and share different perspectives on important issues, locally as well as globally.

In the beginning there are usually unpredictable and fuzzy areas.  But one thing is clear: open course ware and online learning is an unavoidable trend.