"It's dangerous out there!"
In many ways I feel very buoyant about the technology ‘state of the art’ and how limitations that were previously imposed by communications and technology infrastructure are dissolving and disappearing and giving us the opportunity to collaborate within the Enterprise and of course out in the amorphous goo of Web 2.0.
I think technology has facilitated some amazing things, but the more I see and think about what changes we have really precipitated it makes me realise that one of the huge barriers to the ultimate success of Web 2.0 and collaboration is -
Human Nature! I wonder how much of this will transfer and eat away at the ultimate success of Enterprise 2.0.Let's take a look at some of our collective failings. Yes, we are social animals and we must take trust on face value in many circumstances, but what hides beneath the smiles and facades of the social profiles? How many times across Web 2.0 have any or all of the following occurred to you? Have any of them actively prevented or minimised your participation in a collaborative situation?
I will provide a brief (and non-exhaustive list) for rumination:
- Mistrust
- Misunderstanding
- Bigotry
- Manipulation
- Predation
- Egotism
- Xenophobia
- Propaganda
- Misrepresentation
- Elitism (social and intellectual)
- Social Engineering
- Social Climbing
- Information Protectionism (surprisingly nefarious and something that needs to be tackled in Enterprise 2.0!)
When there is no established relationship and trust in an electronic world, any sense of 'not sure' generally ends in a 'no thanks' reply - and that is certainly wise. I am not arguing for reckless libertarianism. On the contrary I want to see all of the issues above tackled in Social Evolution, much of which I think needs to happen offline.
Technology is bringing us to a point where it highlights some of the worst attributes of modern society. I think it is beginning to amplify this and provide greater awareness of it, rather than diluting it.
I also wonder if we will see the emergence of (and excuse the use of the vernacular) "virtual brown-nosing" as Social and Corporate climbers feign interest in the groups, topics and hobbies of those they wish to influence and connect with. I'm confident this already happens on traditional Social Networks, and it seems highly plausible that this will bleed into the Enterprise 2.0 world.
We are really just odd little beings with many sociological hang-ups in need of a (purely analogue) social revolution. I think technology has out-paced us and will force the sociologists, psychologists, journalists, politicians, philosophers, great thinkers and of course 'the people' to turn their minds to the next stages in the collaborative journey - Humanity 2.0!
Technology is simply holding up a mirror and saying - "look guys - you haven't really moved forward in thousands of years!"