cmwalden

I think that any viable device introduced into the education system which fulfilled the role of multi-media viewer, data recorder and electronic textbook would make a difference to education. It fascinates me that this has been such a struggle.

I think that Google's track record has been pretty good at making its services available in ways that are reasonable and useful for consumers. It has been a steady promoter of open development. They seem to consistently work from a position of providing to the masses, rather than an elite class. These seem to be qualities that would work well for a true educational solution.

This solution can come from anyone who will see it all the way to the end.

I agree with many of the ideas in this article. The nature of work is changing and the relationships that people will choose to make with people who reward them is likely to become a lot more free-form than the traditional employee/employer relationship.

I thought the eBay versus Walmart metaphor was a little stretched. People who sell things on eBay aren't working for them. It's a service that helps individuals overcome sales barriers by making it easier for buyers to find what they need. Sellers actually pay eBay for that... something that I would hope you don't do with your employer.

It does, however, show how technology has opened up a number of potential revenue streams that were previously not possible. Now, rather than thinking about the "job" that a person wants to have, they can look at their various interests and talents and use different outlets to sell those interested parties. Our society needs to catch up to this thinking and understand the difference between self-employed and unemployed. This must include changes in insurance and banking models so that these innovators aren't left with the greatest hardships.