mindset

Having an Open Mind

Having an open mind is probably the single greatest thing I have. I’m able to listen and discern arguments against specific topics and although I have my own beliefs, I’ve discovered they’re easily changed based on conversations I have.

I’m not opinionated in my political beliefs which means I can be easily swayed. I don’t think this is a bad thing because I get to hear both sides of the argument and compare the two. I end up with a conclusion of my own but even then, all it takes is for a good argument to put my thoughts and beliefs into question.

This mindset has helped me throughout my career because it means I’m not stuck on a particular path. I can be influenced but I always consider the experiences people share with me and use them in my overall thought process.

I think it’s bad to be too personally opinionated as it shuts off part of the brain to be able to comprehend what others think and have experienced. If you’re unwilling to hear the other side of the story, then what’s the point? At that point, all your doing is serving you’re own self interests.

Another Take On Web 2.0

As I was viewing my keyword results in FeedDemon, I happen to come across an article on TheTimes which offered their opinion as to what Web 2.0 actually is. The article is dated June 6, 2007 and goes on to describe Web 1.0 as being static web pages, with the promise of businesses revolutionizing the world using the Internet as a platform. This initial mindset helped to create what we now know as the Dot Com Bubble.

According to TheTimes, the dot com bubble exploded due to the lack of common sense that was applied to many businesses that launched onto the Web.

Startups were selling dog food on the Web without giving a moment’s thoughts to the costs involved in transporting heavy bags of dog food or selling nappies without considering the convenience of, well, convenience store. In short, Web 1.0 was big on promise and lacking when it came to the deliverables.

Fast forward to 2007 and we are now in the middle of what is commonly known as Web 2.0 This new version of the web has provided a new communal mentality with a new level of user friendliness. Using the Internet as a platform is only now, really starting to gain momentum. At this stage of the game, no idea is too stupid to try.

Near the end of the article, TheTimes sums up the general formalities of Web 2.0, all of which I truly agree with. In fact, I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Web 2.0 (or the Social Web, as I prefer to think of it) is about three things: listening to the conversations people are having about you and topics you are interested in, participating meaningfully in those conversations and sharing your thoughts, ideas and knowledge with like-minded people. To put it another way, Web 2.0 is about connecting with people around you and on the other side of the globe in a very real, personal way.

What do you think Web 2.0 really is? Let me know by leaving a comment!