Quick Tips: Connectivity and engagement communication trends for the future
For the past couple of newsletters, we've been teasing you about the forthcoming Shift Age Trend Report from economist and futurist, David Houle. Well it's finally here! David has graciously offered to let us pass along a discount, should you want to buy the entire report (details are below).
Following is an excerpt from one of our favorite parts because it shows where the country is headed, in terms of connectivity and engagement with people, one-on-one. As you well know, this is our favorite topic of all time, not only because we're communication professionals, but also because we believe very strongly in social media and its abilities to help you grow your businesses.
Everything becomes "smart"
Today we call our handheld devices "smart phones" because they are smarter than previous phones. Well, get ready for smart everything. All appliances using energy will become smart. Infrastructure will become smart. Connectivity combined with mobile computing and ever more powerful and miniaturized computer chips embedded in everything will create incredible energy efficiencies and a generally smarter level of living.
Search enters new 'intelligence' phase
A decade ago most of us had little experience with online searches. Of course today, search is a part of everyday life. We are about to enter the next stage of computer search. The cataloging and collection of data will be joined by artificial intelligence - 2011-2014 will be the time when this new generation of search moves toward maturity and global usage.
Brainwave interface takes off
The human interface with technology will move from touch and voice to brainwave. This technology, developed to help quadriplegics navigate will show up in basic form in 2009-2010 with extremely basic human computer interface. By 2011-2014 it will be a rapidly expanding phenomenon, entering video gaming, the workplace and healthcare. Speaking metaphorically, this advaned brainwave technology interface will be to brainwave interface in the years 2016-2020, what the 1970s video game Pong is to video games today.
Context becomes king
While the phrase "content is king" was certainly true in the Information Age, in the Shift Age the phrase will be "context is king". Content, and all intellectual property will of course be important, but its value will be determined in even greater degrees by the context in which it resides. We live in a world of information overload. This means the value of information is decreasing, while the value of attention is soaring. In the next five years, context will help to focus attention and will thereby increase the value of highly contextual information over simple information. We will live in an increasingly contextual world.
Want the Shift Age Trend Report?
For more on:
- Trends and forecasts;
- Research;
- Interviews;
- Digital forecast;
- Transforming corporations for the 21st century; and
- Trend lines
Go to David's Web site, click on Shift Age Trend Report, click on purchase, and follow the instructions to enter FADIETV for a $50 discount.
One thing to keep in mind, if you're wavering about whether or not you're interested in reading more about his forecasts, David makes a prediction for the 2010 Presidential election. We want everyone to take a peek and then make a wager with him! |
