Smart Tech: Where's My Stimulus?

I just read through the BusinessWeek article that Aravind sent via Doug. It's very interesting. It mentions investing in technology for such purposes as traffic reduction. I also happened to write about how social networks might reduce/improve traffic flow for my first paper.

It seems to me as though this economic stimulus may need to be a hybrid of the two approaches (technology vs. physical infrastructure) to an economic stimulus. In Minnesota, we know better than most that there needs to be an investment in our physical infrastructure to protect the safety of our communities. At the same time, technology certainly has a role to play in maintaining and preserving that infrastructure. One major challenge of the stimulus will be getting technology and physical infrastructure to work together effectively.

One concern I have with the "shovel-ready" approach is that it may not promote long-term imporvements to the nation's infrastructure. The projects that require more planning and cannot immediately mobilize large amounts of workers will be neglected. However, these projects probably also have some of the greatest potential to effect societal change.

I guess we will see.

Globalization vs. Semi-Globalization

Last class we talked a lot about globally integrated business and about how work will gravitate toward the best-suitted and well-equipped teams and people, regardless of location. The full realization of globalization.

I'd say that I'm currently unconvinced that we're heading toward a globalized system or that full globalization is ever truly possible. But I'm open to convincing.

Our current system relies heavily on fossil fuels to support it. They fuel many of the systems and technologies that allow for connectivity around the world - the systems and technologies that a globally integrated enterprise would rely upon to function. The depletion of fossil fuels could mean the demise of globalization and GIEs, especially because no energy sources have emerged as feasible replacements for fossil fuel-based energy. Wind, solar, hydro - other energy sources are not poised to support an international economic system like fossil fuels.

As the scarcity and price of traditional energy sources continues to increase, the need to find local solutions to problems will also become necessary. Communities and nations may turn inward for many of their needs. Such an environment could require a movement back to the fully-functioning multinational in order for businesses to survive.

-Chris

Social Networking and the Obama Campaign

Doug asked me in class last Thursday whether the Obama campaign using social networking in the presidential campaign was ethical or not (in the context of the IBM Value 2.0 article).



I said "Yes" at the time but didn't have many strong feelings on the subject.



I've been thinking more about it since, and I'm inclined to stick with that answer. I think that some of the things said by both candidates during the campaigns were certainly unethical. Both campaigns abused and spun the facts in their bids to win over the American people, and I definitely find ethical issue there. Too bad "truth in advertising" doesn't extend to political campaigns...



On the subject of tapping social networking for campaign purposes, I find no ethical issue. Social networks are where the people are, especially young people. For political campaigns to tap social networks seems like an update on traditional canvassing to me. In fact, I think social networks have the potential to get more people involved more deeply in the process of governing. I would say the use of social networks by the Obama campaign is an innovation (intersection of technology and business) in political campaigning.

-Chris

My First Post

This is my first blog post for my Info Tech Management blog.

I don't have a lot of first thoughts or insights from our first class session. I appreciate that Doug has not made us purchase a textbook or other books. That will definitely help the finances this semester. I also appreciate that Doug said he changes his class and the readings in it every time he teaches it.

I'm excited to learn about what this class is all about.

-Chris