Archive for December, 2009
Openness is Scary, but Essential to the Future!
Google has been on my radar quite a bit lately. Every technology podcast I listen to is talking about the latest product from Google. The news media is wondering if Google is getting too big and powerful and collecting too much information. People are wondering what to expect from “our new Google overlords.” Today I read a blog post from Google that I think tells us what we can expect…
History teaches us that closed societies are oppressive and stymie creativity and innovation. Look at North Korea, Myanmar, or Sudan where differences in politics, religious beliefs, or ideas are simply not tolerated by those in power. As a result people are raped, mutilated, and killed. The society does not advance and only those in power become wealthy; and then only for as long as they are actually in power.
Open societies allow for an exchange of ideas, encourage education and free thought, and are tolerant of the religious beliefs (or lack thereof) of others. Innovation is celebrated. Lives are improved. Everyone has a chance to flourish – whatever that means to each individual. Not everyone wants to be fabulously wealthy. Some only want the chance to study, or raise their children in a decent neighborhood, or have a chance to travel. Open societies encourage this.
If the blog post from Google is to be believed, then Google can be trusted with our information as long as they continue along the path they have tread so far. They are telling us what information they have on use via Google Dashboard. They are giving us a way to get our information out of Google through their Data Liberation Front. Finally, they are opening up many of their projects for developers to augment and improve. Examples include Chrome (browser and operating system), Android (cell phone operating system), and Google Wave (a whole new tool that I’m still trying to learn).
As long as they keep giving us value in exchange for our information the I think we can trust Google. However, once they break that trust their company is done for. So far, Google has my trust. I can’t say the same for some of their competitors in a variety of industries…
Your thoughts on this topic? Please share your ideas on this…
Image Credit: This image was retrieved on December 21, 2009 from The Bookish Dilettante using Google Images.
Watch this for a Better Understanding of How Google Works!
I am a big fan of Google and its products. I use Gmail, Google Docs, Picasa, Google Reader, YouTube, and am learning to use Google Wave, Scholar, and Books. However, until Michael Martine posted this video on his blog I didn’t realize exactly how much I didn’t know about Google. If you use any of Google’s products or do business on the web, then I encourage one and all to watch this CNBC special about Google.
After the Ice Breaker
I recently wrote about why I feel that the Toastmasters program works. The first step in the Toastmasters program is to give the Ice Breaker speech. It doesn’t matter how well written the speech is or even how well it’s given. The main goal is to overcome the initial fear of speaking in front of others. Once you’ve gotten up and done that, you’re ready to move on to the next steps.
Projects 2-9 in the Competent Communication Manual build on each other starting with how to build a speech and moving on to using gestures and props or conducting research. While Toastmasters does not require that members go through the manual’s projects in order, I do recommend it as they each build on the previous exercises.
Each of Projects 2-10 has a 5-7 minute time limit. Adhering to time limits is important because nobody is ever given an unlimited amount of time to give a speech. Too short and you may not be giving enough information. Too long and you are either giving too much information or boring your audience to death. Sticking to a standard time-frame allows a new speaker to learn how long that time frame feels so they can adjust their speech on the fly if necessary.
Finally, as with any new skill, it’s important to practice, practice, practice. Beyond practicing your speech before a mirror, it’s important to practice giving speeches before an audience. The more you give presentations, the better a presenter you will become.
Next in this series – How to deal with feedback…
Image Credit: This image was retrieved on December 20, 2009 from Freedom to Think using Google Images.
Making Progress Since My Accident…
The after-effects of my “accident” 1.5 weeks ago (I’m not sure what else to call it) are starting to ease. I have a bruise that’s about 2″ in diameter on the back of my head, but it’s no longer a lump. It still hurts, but it’s starting to itch which means it’s healing. My energy levels are also starting to rise. I went for a walk yesterday and a longer walk today. I needed a nap after each walk, but they’re getting shorter and less frequent as well.
The dizzy spells are what I find the most disconcerting. They happen rather suddenly and last for varying lengths of time – from a few seconds to nearly a minute – and have varying levels of severity. My neurologist says it may take anywhere from six weeks to a year before I start feeling completely normal again. I’m determined that it take less time rather than more!
More good news! My cold is starting to ease up as well. Bad news… Mark has gotten my cold. I’m hoping that because he’s been obsessive about taking Vitamin C forever, he won’t get hit as hard by this cold as I was. Sorry Honey!
Image Credit: The image used in this post was retrieved on December 20, 2009 from http://tell.fll.purdue.edu/JapanProj/FLClipart/Medical.html using Google Images.