Internet of Words

“Our Similarities bring us to a common ground; Our Differences allow us to be fascinated by each other.” - Tom Robbins

The novelist John Steinbeck had a theme in many of his stories about the similar bonds of both love and our humanity "make goodness and happiness possible." It is during times of politics, war, sports, work and every day living those bonds are sorely tested.

I watch my social media accounts reading the various posts of those who are very good and decent people. The internet as soap box will embolden people very much like the perceived anonymity of sitting behind the steering wheel of a car.

The full discourse of human emotion, belief and conjecture are all on display as the melee of words spread across my computer screen. There is no holding back in many instances. The full impact of one's convictions are expressed in fervent display.

At times the noise and vitriol rise to a point of pure hate while other times you will see the crescendo taper off into an "agree to disagree" moment of concession. Yet no one is happy from the outcome and all we are left with is an irritated heart.

What if a partial moment of common ground could be found?

The areas of our humanness where to survive we try to come together. Does it have to be a widening of the gap between what is left or what is right? Do we really feel the middle ground is not a place where we can move ourselves in to?

Or do we simply believe the one who shouts loudest and most often will win over the day? To lead with meanness or or hate is the only way to get attention to be heard. Are we even listening to those who believe differently?

Questions meant to examine how we communicate with each other.

I have a great belief in humanity, in the goodness and love we can show each other. The communication we seek with each other will have its moments of clashing rhetoric. But we can also find commonality in respect and friendliness in our words.

Stay inspired my friends!

Free To Connect

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” ― Charlotte Brontë

I am back in the United States after a business trip to China. It was a very successful trip and the folks in China are pretty talented. I spent much of my time getting to know some of the new folks and reacquainting myself with those I have known.

The disappointing thing during my trip is that I was unable to blog while there. China has certain sites blocked for a variety of reasons. Those reasons are based upon Chinese government regulations. You can agree or disagree, but it is how things are done in China.

The list of sites currently blocked in China is a pretty interesting list of names. The list includes sites that I use to write my blog, so it pretty much shut me down for the week.

It is not for me to argue with China and how they control access to the internet. What I would like to say is that it feels good to have open and free ability to access the internet. Some may argue too much access given the varied types of searchable content. It also feels good to have an ability to write once again and provide hopefully a spark of motivation or inspiration.

Even without the internet, we are all free in our ability to connect and impact other peoples lives. Enjoy your freedom and turn that freedom into helping someone else.

Stay inspired my friends.

Posting Online

“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” - Warren Buffett

Have you ever considered how big and wide the Internet is today.

It is growing exponentially.

It is estimated that in 2013, nearly 2,769,000,000 people were using the Internet.

Global Internet Usage - Wikipedia

The original ARPAnet connected users at only four locations with perhaps a few hundred users. By 1972, there were 40 sites connected to the ARPAnet. Today, the Internet far exceeds the wildest expectations of those first developers.

It is estimated that the Internet is growing at a rate of 65 percent every year!

The image above represents a hierarchical structure of the Internet, based on the connections between individual nodes (such as service providers). In an article titled Mapping the Internet, we get a view into just how connected our world is today.

So why is it that so many people, young, old people and everyone in between will post things to the Internet that they wouldn't otherwise display on their front door?

Could it have to do with anonymity or the belief in not being found out?

By now, everyone should be fully aware of the fact that once you put something out on the Internet, it is there for the rest of time.

The next time you think about posting graphic pictures, language or things that simply might be embarrassing when you go in for that new job interview (yes, prospective employers are checking you out online). We sometimes forget that plenty of stuff sits out on the Internet which can destroy a person's reputation if they are not careful.

If you think about it, maybe you will do things differently.

Stay inspired my friends!