Lessons and Revolutions

Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’


I hate to start with a 46 year old song reference but I think that in many ways the Dylan lyrics that spoke of cultural change, and a generation demanding that they be heard are as relevant today as they were in 1964. I understand the intent of the song and that there are fundamental differences in attitude and society today. In no way do I discount the profound nature of change in the 60’s and early 70’s. That time was clearly revolutionary, very political and unique in breaking barriers between generations. Without doubt the context of change as it relates to 2010 is different however, there is no doubt that we are in the midst of significant cultural upheaval aided largely by technological changes and advancements. How we function daily, how much information we have available to us, how we shop, how we entertain ourselves, where and how we work and where and how we live – all changing. Is it all too much?

Not only can we now know happenings around the world, we also hear opinions on impacts locally and globally and we are able to view or hear how people feel about those developments. All this information, seen instantly from our personal 9” x 1” screen at a local coffee shop.
In a way, we have become both voyeurs and participants in the world. Our voice and opinions can be heard and the platforms easily accessible for both contributor and observer.

I can’t help but question if it’s all too much and uncontrollable. Does all this information lead to too much discourse, debate and discussion that ultimately bogs down our ability to make change? Case in point, the U.S. health care reform legislation. Is there too much input and will the level of information derail the process so much so that we will never really know if the plan was reasonable? Is anyone capable of disseminating the information and diverse opinions in any reasonable way and, how do we know which opinions to trust? Alternately, maybe we’ll simply tune out due to overload

In a recent Washington Post article the writer tells us that in a given month, there are around 320,000 comments made in response to Post articles and blogs. He further suggests a new filtering system they are developing to categorize commentaries into degrees of trustworthiness. Not exactly limiting free expression but clearly differentiating based on their predetermined criteria.

Is there a line to be drawn in terms of information? Is it possible? More importantly, is there a chance that the age of information will lead to more secrecy and ultimately back to the pre-Revolutionary 60’s age where people knew only what they “needed to know” as determined by some unknown power?

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast

In the end, I’m not suggesting, only wondering.

Cheers and have a great day.
George