Dumb or Dumber? IQ & the Internet

Sure, we now have more data and info available to us than every before in history.  But, what to do with it?  And, is the truth really out there?  And, can our kids even tell time without a digital watch?  What do you think?  Here’s what I think, see if you agree. 

From CNET: Intelligence in the Internet Age. At BFS, we all love the Internet, natch. Couldn't do business without it. But, is it really enabling us to be smarter? Or just dumber in more ways?

As noted in the CNET article, "A few thousand years ago, a Greek philosopher, as he snacked on dates on a bench in downtown Athens, may have wondered if the written language folks were starting to use was allowing them to avoid thinking for themselves." And, the obscene graffiti on the walls of Pompeii looks awfully familar … and ancient Romans complained the new generation was going to Hades in a handbasket. So, how are we evolving in this age of instant information, constant communication, and increasingly realistic video games? Well, some research says the kids today are learning in a whole new way, with brain speeds increasing, thanks to IMing and those darned video games. (They lost me back at Space Invaders). For those of us who do biz on the web, I believe the basics haven't changed, just the methods. We still need to build personal relationships with customers and colleagues (blogs are key to that); know how to separate PR spin from reality; know how to reason, not just answer a rote SAT-type question; and understand that data is only the first step toward wisdom. Internet technologies are like power tools in that they offer terrific capabilities; however, it's up to the users to learn how to effectively wield them.

COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Lori Bravo
URL: http://www.loribravo.com
DATE: 09/30/2005 07:48:48 PM
It seems that there will always be information consumers - people who absorb information and do nothing with it.

There's a whole bunch of "kids" - the twenty-somthing's that I thought would be creating web at breakneck speed and using it as the new communication and business medium - who are simply consuming the information.

It's like we created a pencil factory so they could write and they've decided to use the wood for picture frames. I don't know - they seem to be using the web a lot, but have very little interest in doing the things with it that they can do once they get to a certain skill level. They get that skill, and then don't apply it. Sad. (Sorry for the rambling.)

Idea: Stop Trying to Be All Things to All People.

In the last century, it was de rigeur for businesses to hide behind a veil of plain vanilla everything. Don’t say anything controversial. Don’t challenge authority. Keep your dirty laundry secret. Just say yes to whatever the customer wants. Hide your financial data. Have all your employees look and act the same. Each admonishment standing alone sounds reasonable. But collectively, they create a picture of cowardice, confusion, and potentially false advertising.

"If a blog is interesting," Mr. Evensky said, "chances are you're saying something that's potentially controversial."

As I write about often, the new millennium is marching towards increasing autonomy for all of us — individuals, companies, nations. We are less dependent on any aspect of "tribal consciousness" and can exist with considerably more self-reliance than ever before. Alas, companies can build their own web sites in-house, reducing the need for web developers like us.

The truth, as it turns out though, can be very good for business

But our business is as hot as ever. Being able to blog about who we are — and who we are not — has enabled potential customers to get to know us before plunking down any money. There is a good chance we are "losing" as many as we are gaining, but the advantage is that people can screen us for themselves, with far less investment of time and money. The truth, as it turns out though, can be very good for business, even if it's also a bit scary or controversial to put into practice.

Successful businesses no longer need to be scared of transparency or truth-telling. You can survive and even thrive by choosing your preferences and letting others know what they are. There is so much diversity in the marketplace — why not make it easy for like-minded customers to find you without having to wade through big piles of generic sales doo doo? And if your "true nature" is being a rude, crude, ill-bred know-it-all? Well, then the whole reality TV marketplace may just be a ton of fun for you!

--
Mr. Evensky's quote is from an article in the NY Times, Psst: Want to Know My Net Worth?

From the Sunday NY Times; though since they start their pay-for-content program tomorrow, it's probably not worth following the link. You'll have to pay $49.95 to read the article as a subscriber. I do still believe in giving credit whenever possible though.

I Love the Internet But It’s Not Exactly a First Responder

In Mississippi, some victims of the storm said they had called FEMA’s disaster assistance line but were told to check the Internet or wait for postal service, which is not operating. Check the Internet? Are you kidding? With what computer? With what power? With what ISP? And BTW, you better have a PC with IE 6!

Anyone who knows me knows I love the internet. But please. It is not anywhere near ubiquitous, nor is it completely reliable or easy for non-techies. And as free as much of it is, you still need a computer, electricity, and an account with an ISP to get on it. How people who have lost everything (literally) are supposed to just go hop online — especially in the poor and devastated South — is beyond me.

And even if they do, the FEMA web site is a tumor of Microsoft, that is only usable on a PC with Internet Explorer 6.0. That's about half of the current U.S. internet users. Why does our government spend money on a web platform that not only half of us can't use, but is based on the MOST insecure and unsafe web browser currently available? Surfing the web with IE is the fastest and most reliable way to fill your computer with spyware and viruses. And that is what our government has chosen to run its emergency management web operations. (Looking at our Bare Feet web stats, only 18% visit our site with a PC and IE 6.0.)

"In Houston, local officials complained that FEMA's computer system kept crashing. In Ocean Springs, Miss., officials started turning people away from a FEMA disaster recovery center three hours before closing time, saying they were overwhelmed."

So it's good news people and the government are considering the internet as a key tool in managing operations, but let's not pretend it is more developed than it truly is. And by all means, let's make sure that Section 508 accessiblity rules (issued by the Feds) are also obeyed by the Feds. One of these days Microsoft might actually decide to play with the rest of us, instead of creating monopolies of products that not only don't work, but are harmful as well.

NY Times: FEMA Reporting, Quoted Material Above Free registration may be required to read the full article.

eWeek discussing FEMA and Microsoft

Real Stories About This Situation on BoingBoing Blog plus a few user tips for ways to get around the FEMA web site limitations (minimum geek IQ of 130 may be required).

Email Etiquette for the 3rd Millennium

I just got another email with about 250 email addresses shown as recipients.  Now, if I hit “reply all” I can flood email boxes of people I’ve never met.  Which, I’m sure would just thrill them.  Of course, we all slip sometimes and forget proper email etiquette.  However, such slips can be not only embarrassing but costly. 

I'm showing my age…I remember using carbon copies, on a manual typewriter no less. Thus, the term "blind carbon copy" or "bcc." Originally, people used it when they didn't want one recipient to know that someone else received the same message. These days, doing business in the third millennium, email has become a vital tool. And, in addition to the original purpose, "bcc" should also be used as a common courtesy, so people don't have to worry that everybody in the world has their email address. Also, some people (me included) tend to automatically delete an email unread when they see it's gone to a large group. I assume it's junk.

Such things aren't just "nice to have" as pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly found out the hard way back in 2001. They sent out an announcement that it was discontinuing its Medi-Messenger service, an email sent to Prozac users reminding them to take their dose. Sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? The "oops" was that they also circulated the e-mail addresses of the more than 660 recipients, for all to see. Lots of very unhappy customers.

Your Brand on the Web - What and Why?

Brand and Branding are two hot buzzy words amongst marketers of all types - on-line, dead tree, and otherwise.  But, what do they really mean to you, your web site and your customers?  It takes a lot more than a pretty web site to create and sustain your brand. 

Branding has been around as long as human history. Our brains catalogue things as symbols (Fire Hurt. Fire Red. Red Bad.); we remember best when told stories; and our perceptions are as individual as we are. To paraphrase Alan Kay, we're all just cavemen and cavewomen with PDAs and cute cellphones, looking for wise people to tell us stories. (Ugga and Ugho love those iPods too. Pretty sounds make us feel good!) So, what does this mean to you, your web site, and most importantly your customers? Well, no magic answers here, but always remember your brand is only as good as your story and your customers' perception of you. And, those perceptions can change daily, depending on how well you walk your talk. Four questions for you:

1. Do you have a contact number on every page of your site, with a live person answering calls within three rings, ready and able to help (and talk storytime, i.e. real language, not marketing speak)? Congrats - that's a great brand.

2. Is your web site easy to find, easy to read, and easy to navigate? Hey, cool brand; and, the visitor may well send a link to their friends, who'll send to theirs, and so on. Viral marketing in action!

3. Does your site content tell a story? Yep, that's a good brand. Of course, data such as features, availability and pricing are necessary - but your difference is created and/or the sale is made when you tell a good story (and I don't mean a lie.)

4. Have you done all the necessary back-end planning to ensure you can deliver your product or service consistently and in the way you promise? Is that planning reflected in your site's programming and databases? It's one thing to have a wonderful design (we love that too), but if you want a site that gives business results, you need a site that's developed from the start with that as the goal. Otherwise, you end up with all flash and no cash. (Sorry, I just couldn't resist a slight pun.)