Writer, Agilist, Elder Geek
So after reading Richard Florida's "The Great Reset" I began asking myself what's coming next. What will we, the profans, progeeks, working otaku, and the rest of us face as the economy of the world re-aligns after the Great Recession of the early 21st century? What do I think is next?
So, with credit to the inspiration of Mr. Florida and everyone else I read for advice, here's what I've been thinking.
When talking with an artist at Anime North, they'd noticed it seemed they were collecting an awful lot of business cards. By the end of the convention I had to agree – it seemed that a lot more people had business cards, be they for their own business or just personal contact. I certainly left with quite a few of them.
Perhaps it's just me, but I honestly feel people are using business cards a lot more, including for personal contact and for their hobbies. It's to the point where I think we may need a new term for "non-business" business cards.
iPhone Apps. Android Apps. Google TV will have Apps. It seems everything is becoming an App.
Now I'm all for some interesting slang, but I think what we're seeing is something deeper here.
An "App" of course is short for Application, such as a Word Processor, only it seems the term is broadening. You can turn your book into an App, you can make an App that's a game, you can make an App that interfaces with Social Media services. It seems that the "App" really is a term for "something specific you do on a piece of technology."
I think this is great because it actually brings out an important truth about our media and our technologies – they're about doing things and getting information. It's all Apps.