Liveblogging from the 2008 Politics Online Conference while simultaneously working and absorbing thoughts on technology. Call it multitasking 2.0.deaccess of the web in every aspect of our lives.

Last year, I wrote about how the web has changed the control factor of politics and communication. This year, I think we’ve gone beyond that. In my opinion, we’re in the midst of a technological revolution that is changing every aspect of life.

Just as the Industrial Revolution changed the face of the economy, manufacturing and family life, the web is changing how we live. Families went from subsistence living on the farm to living in apartments in cities. As improvements in food and domestic activities took place (processed food, vacuum cleaners) the dual-working family emerged. Our society has adjusted to the norms that the Industrial Revolution created.

Then the web was created and technology started changing at exponential rates.

The web is altering the fabric of our lives and societies. Right now, we’re fitting the web within the confines of the Industrial Revolution perspective, but it’s gradually changing. Concepts such as working from home, satellite meetings, global communities and 24/7 newsfeeds.

Our culture is changing. The concept of privacy is likely to change with coming generations. The kids these days are used to publicizing every minute detail of their lives. This will change social interactions dramatically as they get older.

We’re also seeing a global community emerge. Travel almost anywhere and you’ll see the same stores and same restaurants. People around the world are largely visiting the same web sites. Despite political and historical differences, people are largely growing more similar and our differences are becoming more obvious.

Back to the plenary. All four people are very smart, but all four people are outspoken Democrats. I’ll be emailing IPDI. There are too many good Republicans on this issue to not have an entire political school of thought represented.

Everyone gets so caught up on the digital divide, but it’s the broadband divide hurting the impoverished. Interent speed changes web behavior more than anything. Why don’t we talk about the lack of competition in service providers. If the price of web acesss was cheaper, more people could access it. What good is One Laptop Per Child when they can’t use the web?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 4th, 2008 at 11:41 am and is filed under politics, technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.