Yup, the next big thing.

Well, without a full understanding of that the terms means I have a few thoughts (and I feel justified in making them because no one has an idea what it means, the term is made up…tongue in check, I hope); I think it is playful to refer to version 2.0 of the Web as if it were a software release when in fact, it is not. Neither is it proprietary nor is it released in stages. It is a constantly evolving, growing social, economic, culture phenomena that is moving a direction that is unknown but has benchmarks.

One thing that bothers me a bit about the term and what I think it represents (even in an ironic use) is that it still suggests that the Web exists to make money. In part it does, many companies have improved their bottom line, a few made it big and an industry of people who work in the field make money (I would someday like to a part of the latter portion, for now I just work…a lot).

Nothing wrong with making money, it just reminds me a little bit of a certain era in the distant past; long, long ago in what is commonly known as the mid-late 1990′s. O.K., people seem to love boom and bust economies out here in the Bay Area; I’m used to it as I have seen it my whole life (no, I wasn’t alive during the Gold Rush, but it is the best example). Big deal.

Well, I am more excited by the gradual (rapid, but gradual as in continues) shifting of human activities toward those that put human and social needs first; that is, the explosive growth and popularity of these new technologies demonstrates our hunger for new ways in which to organize our social, political and economic systems. They have existed in a hierarchical manner and have polarized and divided mankind for too long. It has become intolerable for enough people and change is inevitable.

Fortunately, many people are excited about this aspect of the this era’s gestalt as well. Many, many people it would seem. Thanks as always.

p.s. Can I link to your Blog from my “almost ready for prime time release” Blog titled The Humane Web?