I recently finished reading Glenn Reynolds' Army of Davids (http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=1595550542) Even though the book was published back in 2006, it is still incredibly relevant (and maybe even more so) given some of the current dynamics and technology disruption happening around us. The main theme of the book is that emerging technology like the Internet serves as an equalizer to give individuals power equivalent to large organizations. Armed with video cameras and wireless internet access, anyone can become a global reporter, providing more opportunities for the public to see the news through the eyes of many versus being filtered through the lens of big media. In addition to communications technologies, Reynolds postulates that advances in computing, nanotech and biotech are creating similar disruptions that will allow individuals to wield significant power in shaping their lives and environment. The so called "Army of Davids" effect is very similar to the "Digital Swarm" effect I site in my recent book, The New World of Wireless: How to Compete in the 4G Revolution (http://www.whartonsp.com/store/product.aspx?isbn=013700379X), where individuals and objects are able to self-organize to achieve significant outcomes using wireless networks and smart devices as a medium to collaborate.
Reynolds also paints the extreme scenarios of these empowering technologies being used for both good and malicious purposes similar to the "Nature Aligns" and "Killer Bees" scenarios in my book. Will people primarily behave in a way that benefits the greater good along the lines of what Howard Rheingold refers to as the "Gift Economy". Or will we end up in a "Tragedy of the Commons" situation where selfish behaviour poisons the well for everyone? As we become more empowered by technology, there is an inherent risk that the rich get richer and smarter, while the poor get left behind. So far, this has not been the case as the poorest countries have become some of the most resourceful and innovative in how they are using wireless technology like the extremely advanced financial payment system in Kenya or the delivery of remote healthcare in India.
Like Reynolds, I am an optimist that left to their own devices, most people will choose a path that benefits the greater good and ultimately, new technologies like 4G wireless will pay-off in a dramatically improved quality of life for the planet. This will probably require that David (individuals and entrepreneurs) and Goliath (Big Companies and Governments) work together as partners to make sure this is the path we follow. I am getting involved with an effort with The Conference Board to hopefully drive this type of cross-boundary collaboration with the newly formed Wireless Research Working Group (http://www.conference-board.org/workinggroups/) that will be starting up this fall where large companies across sectors with input from technology players and small companies/individuals can collaborate on new wireless innovation opportunities. Maybe this can be the start of a new dialog between the very big and the very small on wireless innovation.
Technorati
Del.icio.us
Slashdot
Digg
twitter
