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The internet is an ever changing environment. If we observe the last decade, we can decipher that the internet is here to stay, and I think that is the only thing we know for sure. I believe institutions, such as The Future Institution, are very important in today's society. Careers, relationships and even inanimate objects have adapted to the change in technology, we are now discovering how these changes will affect the future. 

These ideas were explored in this weeks readings. The 'Glass' will change the face of photography as we know. These are "...smart glasses--virtual overlay on the real world, an android device in your eyeballs" (Newitz 2012). This is taking smart phones to a whole new level. I believe this shows how limitless this technology can be. 

The 'Floating Universities' explanation; "We create and distribute online multimedia curricula, rich in text, video, animation and graphics, that feature today's biggest thinkers, practitioner and leading scholars" (Big Think, 2011). As far as the 'Floating University' idea goes, I am surprised it has taken so long for an idea like this to take off. There are, of course, pros and cons but I fully support the idea of 'Floating University'. People shouldn't be limited by their location or income if they wish to learn. "Floating University is based on the premise that anyone, anywhere deserves access to the most important knowledge" Big Think (2011).

I find Jane McGonigal's ideas refreshing (McGonigal). There is so many scholarly articles and negative press around gaming, like how it is the cause of student violence, but I understand where McGonigal is coming from. There are positive aspects to gaming, The Sims can teach someone if you save money you get nicer possessions/bigger house, or if you keep going to work you can get promoted. It is also a way of socialising with people from other countries and creating an online ecology with people who have similar ideas.

I believe that the problem isn't the new technology or Web 2.0, rather society's reaction to change. "While accepting that a technology like mobile telephony has become the world's largest share platform for information exchange, we are perhaps less accustomed to the idea of space as a technology or medium of information," (Easterling 2012). I think we have to change our way of thinking of the online environment. Respect it as a source of information, accept it is here to stay, and accept that it is going to change how technology, relationships and careers work. I believe these changes are for the better and technology is just going make our world an easier and more interesting place to live. 

References

Big Think, (2011), The Floating University: About [accessed 13/5/2012], http://www.floatinguniversity.com/about

Easterling, K (2012), An Internet of Things, [accessed 13/5/2012], http://www.e-flux.com/journal/an-internet-of-things/

Institute for the Future (2012), Future Work Skills, 2020, [accessed 13/5/2012], http://www.iftf.org/futureworkskills2020

McGonigal, J. (No Date Supplied), You Found Me, [accessed 13/5/2012], http://janemcgonigal.com/