Who Do We Trust???
From the Hiawatha Bray (Special to digitalMASS) previous post:
>>Novell has figured out that the directory it designed for corporate networks ought to work well on the Internet. Indeed, NDS or something like it offers the potential for making a wide range of electronic services easier to use.
Imagine a database containing vital information about you, linked not only to the Internet, but also the phone system or even your cable TV service. You could go to any computer, any phone, any TV set on earth, punch in a code, and get your data files, your software, your e-mail, your phone messages, even your favorite TV programs. The devices would look up your profile in the directory and give you what you want. That's the kind of service Novell is
aiming to provide.>>
If we all gave up our power and totally trusted the United States Government, then perhaps we'd all submit our private personal data to some govt. "server in the sky."
If we all gave up our power and totally trusted CitiGroup or some large international banking conglomerate, then perhaps we'd all submit our private personal data to this international banking conglomerate "server in the sky."
Then again, if we all gave up our power and totally trusted the international church organization we are a member of, then perhaps we'd all submit our private personal data to this international church organization's "server in the sky."
So we have some obvious plain choices to make here:
Federal Government
International Banks
International Church Organization
This is just a quick scratch of the surface on a massively huge issue relating to our privacy which dovetails with a ton of other issues: time, freedom, trust, ownership of data, ownership of information, rights, access, etc.
>>Obviously, such a system would need rigorous privacy protections. Novell officials speculate that people would store their data with banks, since most people already trust them with reams of personal data.>>
Speculate???
Banks???
This is the REAL "third rail" folks which leads to so many core questions which nobody seems eager to find answers to anytime soon:
Who to we trust?
How is trust verified?
What technology will support this?
Who will provide funding?
How is this going to happen?
etc. etc. etc.
I happen to believe that we live in a world were there is evidence of so much abuse of personal/individual "time and trust" that the question becomes no longer "What do we need to do?" - for it's quite obvious that better solutions to privacy/security and authentication is what's needed.
Perhaps the reason why Novell doesn't want to put a stake in the End-User domain is that they are expecting their traditional corporate clients to lead this charge.
NOT!!!
Communities....NOT Corporattions will lead this charge.
I see so many of these DOT.COM technology firms selling "community-building/enhancing" systems and services to companies and I just shake my head......
For these New Service communities will "go higher" and transcend companies. We're going to see Microsoft employees AND Novell employees joining the SAME communities!!!???
You bet folks!
It's the natural next step in the communitization of the world into this ONE vision where connectivity, communication, collaboration, cooperation, trust, truth, transparency, openness, energy and goodwill can/could finally bud into something wonderful.
But what does this mean?
What's going to happen IF INDIVIDUALS exercise their free speech rights to proclaim membership in various communities within which they are/can/will work on projects which have great meaning for them.
Like sharing, caring, helping, serving someone in need in the middle of war-torn Bosnia.
Like being part of a virtual "circle of service" to help raise the attention for someone or some group doing great work in the middle of Guatamala, Vietnam, or wherever.
This ONE vision could become a massive, caring, virally expansive force of light, energy and goodwill which could spread across the world, reaching/touching/serving/helping those in need: completely unbundling traditional non-profit mechanisms because there is more power, control, customization, understanding and TRUST.
The Internet is the ultimate platform which can help the entire world leg up into this wonderfully empowering world of helping and serving others.
For the Internet is a SERVICE....NOT a BUSINESS model.
Companies, governments, organizations and individuals that do not believe in the sovereignty of the INDIVIDUAL and trust that we I/WE/YOU/US can be a powerful force for good, light, truth and justice in the world, won't want this genie to get too far out of the bottle.
Controlling the underlying technology infrastructure will be key. Authenticating, tracking, mirroring our individual comings and goings in this world will be key.
It's in mankind's nature and the spirit of the world's nature to "just NOT trust."
I'm here to say that this doesn't have to be the case. Especially here in this FREE country. Or do you question our freedom?
We may have reached a point where so many people DISTRUST that they are willing to have our government become just enough of a trust proxy in a growing number of areas to do something they should be able to do on their own.
This entire debate is all just a matter of one's mindset.
And it's very easy to cut major deals and close major contracts when there's huge money at stake.
The average INDIVIDUAL does not understand these issues. The average INDIVIDUAL is still just trying to find more time to spend with his/her kids, make ends meet, etc.
Sorry for the drama, but I take this very, very seriously. For our freedom and rights and future are at stake.
Technology should serve the INDIVIDUAL - not companies and governments. And the expression of these INDIVIDUAL rights, and preferences can be articulated through communities which will transcend companies, governments and boundaries.
For with the Net there are NO LIMTS.
And pies CAN grow to an unlimited size.
REAL wealth can be totally redefined using new measures of service, energy and core values.
I'm very hopeful that there will come a day when the power of money will be finally broken. For the spirit which successfully breaks this power will be the same spirit which successfully overcomes barriers of race, creed, labels, boundaries and definitions.
Call me crazy, but this is what I "see" and believe in 10,000%.
Peace.
GO!! |
