November 24, 2006
Looking Ahead to 2007: Technology and Beyond
The Ecomonist presents a special issue devoted to looking at 2007. Ranging from ecomonics to politics to science and technology, this issue offers some interesting and provocative insights, current trends and predictions for next year.
Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google offers an article entitled "
Don’t bet against the internet."
He points out that "so many companies are still betting against the net, trying to solve today’s problems with yesterday’s solutions. The past few years have taught us that business models based on controlling consumers or content don’t work. Betting against the net is foolish because you’re betting against human ingenuity and creativity."
He describes that the internet is much more than a technology—it’s a completely different way of organizing our lives. He believes that its success is based on the simplicity of its design and the openness of the standards. In fact, with all of the advances that we have seen to date are even more impressive if we realize how the technologies driving these changes haven't even entered adolescence as yet.
According to Schmidt, "put simple, intuitive technology in the hands of users and they will create content and share it. The fastest-growing parts of the internet all involve direct human interaction." He concludes with "trend is not destiny, of course. But as a no-nonsense sports writer once wrote during the depth of America’s Depression, “The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong—but that’s the way to bet.” We’re betting on the internet because we believe that there’s a bull market in imagination online."
Don’t bet against the internet
From The Economist: The World in 2007 print edition
The Economist: The World in 2007 Special Edition
Posted by rsk at November 24, 2006 08:31 AM