Design or improvise

30/04/2007 by Roger Evernden.

I’m doing some research into the short and long term future of the Internet. There are many interesting themes to explore, but the one that probably interests me most is the degree to which individuals or organisations can direct this future. To what extent do we control this evolution?

I think there is a fascinating balance between Design: our attempts to control the look, feel and content of the Internet, and Improvise: how well we respond with creativity, intelligence and empathy to everything that is happening on the Internet.

There is probably a continuum between the two - we try to anticipate needs, create original applications, and design informative and entertaining web sites; but there is so much happening that we are forced to rely on our wits, ad lib and make it up as we go along.

We have a great vision and create an all-embracing architectural blueprint, but we can never fulfill it as it was planned because needs and fashion are constantly changing.
There’s a good discussion of What is Web 2.0? by Tim O’Reilly at http://www.oreillynet.com/lpt/a/6228. It’s a serious and well thought out article that seeks to clarify what we mean by Web 2.0.

And Technorati is always good for viewpoints and opinions on such topics http://technorati.com/wtf/web-2-0.

What do you think? I’d be very interested in feedback, comments or views on this matter.

Roger

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