Fluidity of Ideas by Steven Johnson

Watching some videos about Steven Johnsons ‘, “Where good Ideas come from,” captivated my attention.

Mr. Johnson, a motivational speaker, analyzed inventions and innovations as a product of collective thoughts being brought into one contest to produce something way meaningful. In the human consciousness, it is a bit hard to think of someone’s achievement as a collective effort. Looking at this issue in Steven Johnson’s way over-looks the popular norm that glorifies individuality.

Individuality has being promoted by so many cultures, especially the American culture. Yet, individuality has never being practiced by the American people. Obviously, no man can remain an island. Humans depend on each other to exist.

Over the years innovations were brought out by one or more individuals, but these grandeurs innovations were the products of studying, human- to human interactions, seeing, thinking, and exploring the products of other people’s work.

Today, the internet and all it social media have become a means that more ideas could be shared. Every day people post millions, or even more, documents- researches, ideas, products, and all sorts of things on the internet- making the accessibility of ideas easier.  The fluidity of ideas through the internet have made the world aware of new technology, and helped researchers in other part of the world see a baseline to new researches and exploration of more ideas.

With great technology comes great responsibility

Since the coming of the internet, technology has accounted enormous growth. Just from the beginning of the Y2K, phone companies- like Apple, Blackberry, Android, Nokia, and the rest of them- have produced more sophisticated technology that people never imaged of. Thanks to the availability of the internet. Now, a lot more can be done with a cell phone than was ever done 30- 40 years ago with a computer. Yet, a lot of critics still seek answer to this question, “How has the internet influence the quality of human life?”

Sociologists would suggest that to get the answer to this question the unit of the society- the family– should be assessed. In most part of the world family values are passed on from generation to generation through quality family times spent talking to one another in the dining table.

Today, most family times are spent either on the internet and all its supporting technologies. Most kids today do not have the patience to listened to grandma and grandpa tell them wise stories of old, these kids would rather be on their phone all day.

Further, the institution of marriage, which is the binding force of most families, is at the verge of collapse. Divorce rate is rising every day.  Some sociologist would attribute these changes to the availability of options, that is, some part of America have more women than men and in other part there are more men than women, but the internet and it technologies makes it easier for married people to be more promiscuous and made these options truly within reach.

In addition, a lot of children today would rather adhere to the lies they hear, watch, or read about, in the internet and it technologies than take the advice of their parents. For example, a typical American teen is ready to act like Lady Gaga anytime than to dress as modest as mama would want her to dress. 

Also, the internet has taken out the distinction between home and work. Today many American families have to put up with one or more of their family members who rather stay on the computer or phone all day transacting business or taking online classes, than spend quality family time with them. For these reasons, children are unconsciously made to learn these bad habits and adapt it as a way to raise their own children when they grow up.

In conclusion, technology is one of the greatest things that have ever happened to humans. However, the way and manner it is used determines the role it will play in one’s life. If one has a piece of these technologies, one has to learn how to set priorities in life because with great technology comes great responsibility.

Internet Job Not Meant For All

It is obvious that all humans are built differently. Some people do very well in some aspects of life, while others do better in some other aspects. The most important thing is know which is best for you- working physically at a job place or through the internet.

Most people who are introduced to the online business end up not following up on it. For the past couple of years there have been several promotions for jobs online, especially in the aspect of product marketing. Some people just jump into it because of the promising amount of money the promoters anticipate the potential employees are going to be making from these businesses. So, some of these people start with the consciousness that they were going to make easy and convenient cash, but you just have to work really hard and dedicate much time to make that kind of cash.

Second, one just have to really love surfing the internet to do really well in most, if not all, internet work systems. My roommate, who does not derive pleasure from using the internet thought he could be a great internet business owner, when he was first introduced to the Amyway online business in 2008. He was determined to do the business, but on the long run he gave up because he always forgot he had to use the internet to promote his business- poor kid!

Obviously, online jobs are either for you or not for you. For, those who think the internet could be a good source of earning a living; I will say that the sky is your limit. The passion for computer and the internet is the first step. I will suggest you watch the video below for a glimpse of some areas of online businesses that might interest you. For, those who cannot relate to online business, I will suggest you stick with what is best for you. Differences in human character creates a dynamic and fun world. We all are meant to exist.