Internet

As I was my wireless device to access information on the Internet I began thinking about technology. I think that we just scratched the surface of a world mediated by digital technology. The places that the Internet will take us will be amazing. The synergy of all the pieces to the equation will be very interesting...

THE INTERNET. The Internet gives us access to information. It is constantly changing. In my opinion, it is alive and growing. For example, Google is one of contemporary time's most innovative forward thinking companies. The name of their company is a household name and a verb. "Google it". They have done a great job of indexing the Internet. As a result it is one of the most popular search engines. I recently had the opportunity to expose myself by letting Google desktop index my computer. It's interesting what they are doing. They constantly index the Internet and they are bringing other data to the Internet. For example, their recent initiative to scan libraries of books to make the text searchable. With blogs, our opinions and thoughts are capable of being searched. Eventually, virtually anything you can think of can be searched and found.
It also changes the way we communicate and the concept of self(we’ll save that discussion for another day).

PLUS

THE DEVICES. Our lives will soon be coordinated by the internet and devices which will let us have access at all times. For example, I am writing this blog as I am riding BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) soon after I am done I will post this to my blog. As a matter of fact before I got here I checked departure times on this same device. But devices will go beyond sending/receiving email, reading the news, or checking stock quotes. It gives us control. I am thinking about a world mediated by the Internet. There are other products such as, cooking ovens, refrigerators, and home security systems being developed that will allow you to turn them on and off among other controls via the internet. Also the computers in our cars will be much more complex. In the near future we should be able to get into our car, type in (better yet, via voice activation say) our destination, and it will shoot back the quickest route based on current weather and traffic conditions. Our mobile phones will become much more powerful (especially with the emergence of 3G wireless data networks) and allow us to do much of what we can do from our home computer while at the beach. Maybe while on vacation your PDA will notify you that someone has opened the back window of your home. So then you access your Internet based security camera and see someone lurking around. You then notify the appropriate authorities with a description. The term Internet appliance will soon be outdated because everything will have access to the Internet as a minimum standard. In summary, everything we do in a day will be assisted, mediated, accessed, or controlled by the Internet.

PLUS

GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT. Throw into the mix government involvement, regulation, and special interest. I don't much about this other than it will have impact.

EQUALS?

Is your first thought, this will be good or this will be bad? Opinions anyone?    

Dear World,

Please meet the newest member of my family! Watch out the plans are huge for this little one.

At this moment I feel joy for what the future holds. There is absolutely nothing more important to me than being the best possible father I can be for this child.

Princess Chooses Love Over Palace Life

"TOKYO Nov 15, 2005 — The only daughter of Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko married a childhood friend Tuesday and began life as a commoner after moving out of the royal palace and giving up the title of princess so the wedding could take place." - Extracted from ABC News, By MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press Writer.

Best wishes on your marriage, Mr. Yoshiyuki Kuroda and Mrs. Sayako Kuroda.

I liked this news story for some reason. Its nice to know that there are people out there who are not just willing but commited to acting out their true desires/values. It takes strong character and passion to make such a decision. True loyalty, integrity, and honor are hard to find these days not only in the U.S. but around the world.

There are probably people out there who say that she is insane, not practical, or simply stupid to give up royalty and everything that comes with it to be a "common" person. Because of this I feel that her decision in itself is extraordinary. I'd guess that a high percentage of people couldn't make such a decision. Especially since we live in a world that measures our successes and "happiness" by material things and our ability to obtain them. Even the pratical things we measure success with like, owning a home or a having good job, are overshadowed by her simple choice.

How many life altering decisions/sacrifices have you made for something greater, something more valuable?

My Eulogy

Have you ever thought about what you want someone to say at your funeral?

"Chris started off life as a great kid. He excelled at many things and we thought that he was going to continue on to be a great leader. He went on to college and got a degree. Chris was a good-willed tax-paying citizen. He had decent jobs here and there. He even excelled in the workplace and stood above some of his peers. Chris was definitely a hard worker.

Chris provided for his family. He made sure that there was food on the table and that they were safe. He wanted a good education for his children. When time permitted he took his family on vacations. Chris was close to his parents and sisters and their significant others. He also kept close contact with his grandparents, uncles and aunties, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

He had an inquisitive personality. He was always trying to keep everyone happy. He was forward-thinking. He thought a lot about life. He also thought a lot about society. He wanted a better place for everyone.

But really he was a bum! He contributed absolutely nothing to society. He made attempts but they were half-ass. Sure he would help those in need here and there mostly during the holidays but he didn't implement any system to help people help themselves. He didn't help solve any of society's ills. He should have set up that needed non profit charity organization. In addition, he could have made a scholarship fund for students with limited resources. Another big problem was that he didn't understand that problems existed at an international scale and not just in his town, state, or nation.

Even though he did well at work he didn't change industry and push technology. He didn't implement his "forward-thinking" ideas. He needed to be a stronger leader and a role model. He could have improved business and still create more opportunity for people to better themselves in the workplace. He could have used business to better society.

He did an outstanding job as a father and husband but there is always room for improvement. He took his family on vacations but he didn't help them learn about other cultures. He didn't submerge his family in the different worldly views and cultures. I don't know if he knew who is child's first love was or his wife's favorite pasta. He didn't spend enough time understanding his parent's wants. He tried to give back to them but he definitely didn't repay them for all they sacrificed and gave to him. Also, I don't think he took enough time to understand what really makes his sister's happy. He needed to tell his wife, children, parents, sisters, and family that he loved them more often. He could have spent more time learning about his loved ones, and contributing to them, and really share in their happiness.

He aimed for perfection but didn't realize that the world's imperfections were the finer things in life that added richness and diversity. He could have been more passionate about life. He could have emerged himself in it. He didn't get his hands dirty enough. Instead of "stopping to smell the roses" he could have planted gardens.

We are probably better off not having him around. Good riddens! Lets celebrate!"

So yes I have thought about my eulogy...I have a lot of work to do.

(There is so much more I could have written but I think that I should take one step at a time)

Californians did you vote?

If you didn't...DON'T COMPLAIN!!!!