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4 answers
What's *really* new on the Web, as opposed to buzzwords and soundbites?:
I think it's the real migration from end users viewing the web as an information or access tool to it being a form of multi-media, multi-faceted entertainment. This isn't "new" by any means but it's absolutely evolved to where sites now offer a lot more than just traditional message board interactivity. I think we all know the direction everything is going - it's unique to watch it unfold from the back end of it here.
I like the evolution of our overall technology development. It's far less spastic than the first time around - and seems much more intuitive, intelligent, etc. I know that comes in part from a greater sense of experience and knowledge on everybody's part, but I am enjoying the current "boom" more so than last time around. I feel the excitement, but not the manic frenzy.
Which tools best embody the new opportunities from your point of view and why?:
I don't know what this question is really asking, but I guess for me the tool I'm really excited about is asynchronous page updates driven from applications in real time. It's bad ass on a site and feels really next generation to me. As a user, I liked it a lot when seeing demos at Java one this year.
Who's doing the best work with the new tools (technically or in terms of social benefit or both)?:
I think the venture capitalists, honestly - they're the ones investing the money people need to create the solutions. That's what we need! I also really do applaud Al Gore because he put it out there for people to see, and it came off very sexy and smart. I was on the plane home from Chicago on Friday, sitting next to a huge CEO from a big, big company and when I explained the new generation environmentalist even he got excited. I think breaking down the original stigma that comes with "eco-friendly" and transforming it the way Gore's team did can do a lot for this movement.
What's the bad news? What are the greatest barriers preventing web-based technology from producing social change?:
I think it's ignorance. We're coming off a big "waste/wealth/indulgence/stupidity" trend that is going to be hard to move people away from. I think the more intelligent and sexy figures you can put in front of the Web audience - people like Angelina Jolie, George Clooney, Bono, etc. - the better it will be to try to migrate society off this mindset and get them into social change. The mass market looks to icons for cues and right now, an example of who people are taking cues from is someone like Paris Hilton - she shops constantly, she does nothing, she has very little education or point of view, etc. I think they'll turn an ear to it if it's not presented in a way that's exciting and sexy. This is how I was introduced to it, and here I am very into it now.
So, I guess speaking from experience, if you tackle this, I think everything else could really come easily.
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