We Shape The Internet & It's Future

Have you ever thought that you would be able to observe your loved ones’ actions through a laptop’s screen, even when you are geographically separated by thousands of miles? Have you ever wondered how it is possible to check exactly how long more your bus to school will be arriving? Needless to say, the Internet has allowed us to experience all these seemingly bizarre yet exciting advancements. The uses of Internet is so captivating that even up till this very day, we are still reliant on the Internet to a very large extend.

Ever since the inception of the phenomenal technology of the Internet, everyone around the world have the key to access to it. The computer - a revolutionary tool for everyone in the past and now, was once a very useful machine even without the Internet. However, it was usually just used for programming and text based operations and required an endless amount of manual work. But at the current moment, with the outstanding popularity of the Internet, the humble computer can now sometimes even be regarded as something useless without it. The Internet is deemed as ‘cool’ and ‘the best communication medium’, its connection has open doors, enhanced and altered many aspects of society, relating to Education, Medical Industries, Business Organizations, Transportation, and Interpersonal Communication. It is undeniable that we are constantly in awe of the new and fresh Internet tools that have dominated the market thus far. But, the question is will the innovation and novelties of the Internet world continue or will the Internet subside slowly as time goes by?

In my last blog post, I hope to show you my answer by offering you predictions of the Future of the Internet – How the Technology of Internet will be in Time to Come.

... ...



The Glass Surface Technology, presented by Corning Incorporated, is the future of the Internet. That is, a semantic technology concept which enables users to be connected to the network virtually anywhere and anytime.

Currently, accessing the Internet through our computers is restricted to locations that have Wi-Fi or LAN; locations such as our homes, workplaces or ‘hotspots’. This restriction does not allow us to share documents instantaneously anywhere, anytime and thus, defeating the purpose of the Internet. Despite the introduction of 3G on smart phones, such as apple iPhone and blackberry, sharing of files through 3G is still restricted to what functions the smart phones have. In addition, sharing of files through the smart phones’ 3G or Wi-Fi can be rather unreliable and slow, and then again, defeating the purpose of the Internet.

The Glass Surface Technology is the solution to how the Internet can be fully utilized. Given its highly interactive, connectivity, interoperability and easy accessibility properties, we will be able to access the Internet anywhere and anytime through the integration of any device. With this technology, many aspects will be enhanced and thus, bring extreme convenience to the future population.

This is the Hand Gesture + Holotable Technology. The high accessibility and ease of using this technology is just phenomenal! It would really help the sector of Architecture and Landscape design, and even the Military when they need to plan routes or building designs. For online businesses, it will allow the customer to actually see the clothing in a 3D dimension! I believe that is every girl's dream :) To be able to see the actual product, EVEN IF they are shopping through the comfort of their home.

Basically, the future of the Internet will be termed by these words: Smart, Customizable, Self-sustaining, Intelligent, Interactive & Extendable.

... ...

The major advancements and changes that are observed and predicted are actually how we have utilized that phenomenal medium. The trend that we noticed is that the Internet basically helps us to be connected to one another by integrating various types of technology together. In turn, we have predicted that more and more aspects of our lives, such as transport, our community and business organizations, will be seamlessly integrated and made more ubiquitous.

Someday it would be great if instead of being e-mail, it would just be called mail. Instead of being e-commerce it will just be called commerce, just because it is so ubiquitous that it is just taken for granted, much as we take for granted electricity or water or other kinds of utilities.

The truth is that men are inquisitive and always forwarding, many absurd inventions have been created even up till today, what's more in the future? When people are so much more advanced, informed and have such rich resources to draw from?

Who knows what would be next?

There is, also another technology that I believe would be extremely useful and rewarding for the public.

The Power of Collective Voices

In the realm of free speech and true democratic discussion, nowhere is the gift of modern communications more prevalent than in the new worthwhile pastime of blogging and a new fact in news reporting that is rapidly gaining foothold in global press - Citizen Journalism. A wave of Citizen Journalism is infiltrating the media at an alarming rate. It is redefining the role of the traditional journalist and taking his audience too.

 I'd like to admit that I have never heard of this term, Citizen Journalism until the end of last year. I'm disgraced by this fact, but! I'm making admendments and am constantly reading many different Citizen Journals in Singapore! These journals have opened my eyes to many "unseen secrets" of the agony of being a Singaporean. Well, there are the good and also the bad, let's see some of our very own sucessful Citizen Journal that have managed to twist the mind of law-abiding citizens here in our homeland.

Before we start, the meaning of Citizen Journalism is basically "private individuals do essentially what professional reporters do – report information". It promotes proactiveness and participation amongst individuals. For me, I really agree the defnition on Wikipedia, it is defined as the "rightful democratic ways of giving honest news". It is not true that I doubt our very own news owned by Singapore Press Holdings, like The Straits Time. But it is undeniable that you can so much more "realness" and "authenticity" displayed by Singaporeans in the Citizen Journals. I like to see how their blunt and straightforward opinions regarding the practices by our government are so bold and really speaks up a lot for other fellow citizens. In a sense, we become the media and have caused a significant paradigm shift from the traditional newspaper to journal articles. Because of the wide dispersion of so many excellent tools for capturing live events -- from tiny digital cameras to videophones - the average citizen can now make news and distribute it globally, an act that was once the province of established journalists and media companies.

... ...

THE POWER OF CITIZEN JOURNALISM

1. INFORMATION FILLER

"For millions around the world, Twitter, Facebook and You Tube are now the preferred choice when important news breaks."

Citizens are not only the one to be informed, but we are also the informers.When the new of the recent tragic Japan Earthquake Tsunami happened, the first thing I went to was, Facebook. And many of my friends went to their Twitter accounts to check out if other people actually tweeted about it.

It seems that people are more interested to read what other people write about, rather than supposedly more credible sources like Channel New Asia, or BBC. Probably because it is easier and more accessible.

But, will online journals ever take over traditional media? My answer is no, the tradtional media is highly credible and powerful. But it is inevitable that in a few years, I'd think that traditional old newspapers will eventually disappear and a more powerful cyber army of internet news portals will take over. New studies and current surveys indicate a worldwide surge in the increase of traffic in certain news websites and a slow but steady decline in print broadsheet circulation. As the traditionally elite newspaper culture is torn down by digital media, more among the internet-savvy generation will offer revolutionary alternatives to the previously silent masses.

2. PARTICIPATORY CULTURE:

Journalism of the people, by the people, for the people.

By giving a voice to the masses who really matter in this world, the portals of citizen media have started a silent revolution. Citizens Journalist are free to contribute what they have to say, anytime and anywhere on the net they want. And most of them actually believe that their opinions are valued. Which is proven in many of our own Singapore Citizen Journals.

 

The Online Citizen and The Temesek Review are actually two of the most popular Singapore Citizen Journals. They work on the basic purpose of an "online citizen" - to promote free speech and transparency. Basically, to not be a YES-MEN and heed every society norm. I have read some articles from TR and I must say that it have really triggered thoughts in me that I've never had as a Singaporean. Needless to say, on each post, there are almost hundreds of comments left by netizens. It has helped us to create a voice among the younger generations (as we are more prone to read online news), and kept us in the loop of politics in Singapore.

... ...

By giving a voice to the masses who really matter in this world, the portals of citizen media have started a silent revolution that soon will tear down the remaining pockets of tyranny and fogs of darkness enshrouding the other side of the digital divide. True, there is much work to be done. More than half of Earth's six billion plus of living people remain without access to electricity, much less to the wonders of computers and technology. Half of the world's population still live in utter darkness and semi-ignorance. It is the duty for the connected and enlightened half to lift them out misery by logging-on and uniting in calling to worldwide change.

Citizen journalists therefore have a great mission and duty to lift humanity to even greater heights. Let us unite and forge a mighty cohesive thrust in effecting a total global transformation. A mighty workhorse in the form of internet is waiting to be tapped in this glorious and beneficent undertaking. Together, as idealistic cyber knights, we can all thunder across the digital void in leading the charge to breaking down the barriers to total change and prosperity for all.

Internet for Politics - Yay Or Nay?

To me, politics on the internet is just one word to describe - Atrocious.

If you have seen the recent uproar about 27 year-old youngest candidate running for GE this year, named Tin Pei Ling, you will know what I'm talking about.

I feel that something the internet brings things a tad too far-fetched. I mean, she is afterall, a 27 year-old young adult who is enjoying the peak of her life, taking photos, buying items she can afford and chasing her dream of contesting for a space in the cabinet.

Frankly, I'm quite disgusted at how unforgiving and petty Singaporeans can be at such politics. We always enjoy digging up the private life of anyone and everyone who are in the limelight. Especially if they are young, attractive and is chasing a dream which is deemed to 'help her continue her extravagant lifestyle'.

So who are the culprits that is causing Ms. Tin to suffer such humiliation on the Internet and the new?

1. THE KATE SPADE BAG

Just because of one picture of Ms. Tin posing with the atas Kate Spade brand, everyone is making so much noise! For goodness sake, it's not like as if its Louis Vuitton or Chanel. Or the even more expensive Hermės handbag. It is just a Kate Spade bag which is SO COMMON among girls of her age. Is it wrong for her to actually be trendy and fashionable just because she wants to be in the cabinet?

One thing I don't understand about Singaporeans. Why must it be so that they carry a mindset that 'being poor means reflecting humility'. I mean, what kind of nonsense is that? We are born in this world to not be poor and needy, but rich and properous! I don't understand why netizens are flaming Ms. Tin for a freaking bag!

2. HER HUSBAND IS THE PRIVATE SECRETARY TO PM LEE

Why oh why are we so fast to make judgments that she went in by the back door just because her beloved works closely with PM Lee? What do we know exactly to even make statements like, "I woudn't fault her for marrying someone I presume is more successful. It's a survival instinct in every woman to do that. But what is wrong is going through the back-door entry to become a MP when her husband is the principal private secretary to PM Lee. And hiding behind a GRC to get elected because she wouldn't stand a chance running in a SMC." Why can't she have her own abilities to climb up, why is she assumed and persecuted to by the back-door entry of her husband?

Well, PM Lee was quick to defend her by rebutting that, she was ‘talent-spotted’ by the autocratic PAP regime during a speech she made during the party convention in 2007.

“As for Tin Pei Ling, we first noticed her in this (NUS) hall in 2007 when we had a party convention. She was one of the speakers and she impressed the audience. We made the right decision. It looks like she’s going to MacPherson and she’ll be a good MP in due course,” he said.

He also slammed netizens for ‘flaming’ Tin Pei Ling:

“As far as the Web is concerned, all the flaming, that’s the way it is but unfortunately in Singapore, people get carried away. Vitriol….doesn’t add anything, no credit to debate, to people doing that or raise quality of debate,” he was quoted as saying in Channel News Asia.



The air has been cleared by the man himself. But unfortunately, the rumours and circulations of her Twitter account have not died down.

It is hilarious how people actually think that she private her Twitter because her 'shots were too sexy'.

In this way, NO ONE in Singapore can actually have a proper life.

... ...

I still think that Ms. Tin deserves some niceness from all of us. Because no matter what one may think of her, going into politics is something to be applauded, especially for someone as young as her! I would applaud the same for young opposition members as well.

I feel that she should go on and do her work. And she  should learn that being a politician in the public eye, she should be mindful of how she will be perceived if she slips up again – as she did when she didn’t privatised her Facebook page.

Her concern for the elderly is something she should continue to work on. If or when she gets into Parliament, she should lend her hand to Dr Lily Neo who has been fighting for more help for the poor, especially the elderly.

She is young and has has lots of energy! Ms. Tin can afford to take time off from her company and concentrate on helping the elderly. I feel that would be the best thing she could do to prove her sincerity and seriousness in the heat of the competition.

Ms. Tin can easily turn the ball game to her advantage by simply doing one thing: do what her heart tells her.

If it is a sincere thing, she will be vindicated naturally.

If not, then she should be prepared for even worse criticisms.

... ...

I feel that when politics reached this stage of the Internet usage in our modern times, it is an inevitable consequent that flaming would occur, no matter what you are, an actress, a teacher, a comedian or even President of Singapore.

Well, it goes to show that firstly, netizens are speaking up more on socio-political issues and are far from apathetic. Perhaps the closeness of the general election date has a lot to do with the increased participation.

 Secondly, it is heartening to note that the internet community is articulating its views in a stronger voice than ever before and more people are logging on to read, react and interact with others concerning current issues.

Thirdly, cyber community will only grow and become exponentially more vocal over time. Thus, the authorities must know that they had better started paying even closer attention to what is being circulated on the net, because the .