GN Commentary: November 11, 2009 - World 2.0

Information abounds and is transmitted, shared and absorbed instantly by a variety of means. Nothing is secret and information cannot be controlled. All this puts a greater responsibility on you and I, to make sure our words and communication are responsible, true and gracious.

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Video Transcript

World 2.0 is upon us. 2.0 is a metaphor for the technological world of social media and smart phones that it seems everyone has. This was brought home to me by two events a few months ago.

I was watching news coverage the day pop star Michael Jackson died. I was struck by something as the cameras panned across the crown of people gathered outside the Los Angeles hospital where he died. The camera was on the Fox News reporter but I noticed that every bystander you could see in the picture was on a cell phone texting and talking–most seemed to be texting. Everyone was reporting the event. Everyone!

The other event was the mass street demonstration in Tehran, Iran following the recent elections of their President. The people protesting in Iran have employed the Web 2.0 tools of Twitter, YouTube and Facebook to upload videos, pictures and descriptions of the protests. Cell phones and computers are the keys to this information flow. Major cable news sources then use this material on television.

That is the reality of our socially connected wired world today. Anyone with a smartphone and connection can transmit text, pictures and voice instantly from the palm of their hand. Information is instantly posted on Twitter, Facebook and other online media.

Information abounds and is transmitted, shared and absorbed instantly by a variety of means. Nothing is secret and information cannot be controlled.

Nations continue to crack down on the internet within their borders. It doesn't work. Technology is moving too fast and the means to disseminate information is easy, accessible and inexpensive.

Technology is a force multiplier in today's geopolitics. No country, no organization, can expect to compete and grow without pro-actively harnessing the social power of Web 2.0. To fail in this is to fall behind and risk permanent underclass status.

It is far better to learn key lessons about human freedom, dignity and love than to try and censor, control and ignore.  History shows the persistent march of human freedom. No government can stop the arrival of the day when God grants spiritual freedom to all humanity.

All this puts a greater responsibility on you and I, to make sure our words and communication are responsible, true, and gracious. We should let God's Spirit motivate us to sound and encouraging communication that builds relationships. The words of Colossians 4:6 sum it all up. "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."

For GN Magazine I'm Darris McNeely.