In another one of my classes, we spent the week discussing whether or not technology is bringing us closer together. One classmate shared his experience and it seemed all too familiar to the rest of us, including me:

M* said that he is very grateful for email, cell phones, and text messaging, because it allows him to communicate with his friends at any time and from virtually anywhere in the world. Like most of, he uses the three methods to make plans to meet with his friends. There is one friend in particular with whom he meets regularly. They establish a time and place to meet via email or phone. If one of them is going to be late, they use the phone or texting to notify the other. Finally, they can enjoy their time together in piece, thanks to technology.

But wait! M* also pointed out that he and his friend spend some of their time together answering phone calls or responding to text messages; essentially, they are having conversations with other people who are not physically present. Sometimes, while meeting with one friend, M* has used text messaging to coordinate a meeting with another friend. Basically, many of his meetings (and many of mine, too) are spent thinking about other people. Has technology brought us together, or has technology provided a way for us to not be alone when contacting others?

Oddly enough, the latest issue of Wired Magazine (February 2008) has an essay on this subject, too, with interesting points and study results that may surprise you. I thought this article would fit in nicely with our class theme of Community.

If you’ll excuse me, I am going to text Wired to see if they will pay me for these endorsements…

I read blogs. I also publish two (here is my other one). And, given the number of blogs that exist, there’s a pretty good chance that you yourself either blog or read a blog. In fact, if you are reading this right now then there is a 100% chance that you read at least one blog.

That’s why I thought an article in the latest issue (February 2008) of Wired Magazine was interesting. It explains how a Blog goes from my thoughts to your eyes, with a few stops on the way! Check it out here.

Group members: Brandon, Liz, Mike, and Donna

First we discussed the definition of “Disruptive Technology.” Is it about social upheaval and disrupting the status quo, or is it about interfering or interrupting order?

Community in Disruptive Technology
A community is a unified body of individuals, and when using disruptive technologies they are not bound by physical location or even time (Someone can view a blog on January 31, 2008, and read and respond to a post written at any point in the past. Someone can then read and respond to that post at any point in the future). The unifying bond can be location, identity, interest, or some other commonality, such as a purpose or goal, and should have some kind of interaction with other community members. The Rheingold piece

Design
Design can apply to many elements. Design is linked to purpose. Design is more accessible, and makes it easier to create a solution to a problem. The tools are available so that everyone can be a designer. Design is decentralized, and design is an equalizer.

Identity through Disruptive Technology
Personal identity through disruptive technology is a contextualized of yourself, crafted by you. Multiple, flexible identities are possible, which may differ from ‘real’ life.

What does ‘disruptive technology’ mean?

The word ‘disruptive’ has such a negative connotation that I am interested in why the instructors would select that word for the title of this course. The definitions of disruptive all seem to center around the idea of disorder, and the image that pops into my head when I hear the word is that of a hyperactive, misbehaving child calling out and otherwise interrupting the order of an activity.

It is my understanding that the instructors of this course positively view the use of technology and are seeking ways to use it (it = blogs, podcasts, email, etc.) in new ways. Basically, some forms of technology have the ability to disrupt he status quo of information sharing and community interactions. Referring back my mental image of the word ‘disruptive,’ I would assume that technology is the hyperactive child and the current state of information sharing and community interactions are the ordered activity that is being interrupted.

I look forward to future disruptions. Just don’t tase my blog entries, bro!