The Internet of Things

http://asmarterplanet.com

Video featuring, from IBM: Mike Wing, Andy Stanford-Clark and John Tolva.

Over the past century but accelerating over the past couple of decades, we have seen the emergence of a kind of global data field. The planet itself - natural systems, human systems, physical objects - have always generated an enormous amount of data, but we didnt used to be able to hear it, to see it, to capture it. Now we can because all of this stuff is now instrumented. And its all interconnected, so now we can actually have access to it. So, in effect, the planet has grown a central nervous system.

Look at that complex set of relationships among all of these complex systems. If we can actually begin to see the patterns in the data, then we have a much better chance of getting our arms around this. Thats where societies become more efficient, thats where more innovation is sparked.

When we talk about a smarter planet, you can say that it has two dimensions. One is to be more efficient, be less destructive, to connect different aspects of life which do affect each other in more conscience and deliberate and intelligent ways. But the other is also to generate fundamentally new insights, new activity, new forms of social relations. So you could look at the planet as an information, creation and transmission system, and the universe was hearing its information but we werent. But increasingly now we can, early days, baby steps days, but we can actually begin to hear the planet talking to us.

Animation by Lisa Kwon
Music by Lee Feldman: http://www.leefeldman.com/

• Category

  Science & Technology

[Matt Lee]

There was a time when we didn't know how to write things down either.

[ShadesofScorpius]

This was supposed to be inspirational, I'd imagine, but instead it kinda comes across as creepy. Do you REALLY trust big brother with all your information? Seriously? We see what abuses can happen. Who watches the watchers?

[Basil Minhas]

Now almost 3 billion people use the internet and almost 10 billion devices connect to the internet

[Millichip100]

I don't confuse anything. Instead, I think you're naive about the forces at play here and the propaganda you buy into. The internet of things isn't about giving us control of our environment. Nor is it a stand alone development. You should also consider the global privatization of primary needs - water, food and energy - plus issues such as satnav companies passing driver details to police for speeding tickets. You're being lured into voluntarily handing over control over your life!

[powerone1]

You're confusing "control" with oppression. Maybe you believe that chaos is a better option. Humans have always used control of the environment around them as a way of increasing the quality of life for everyone. The very computer you are using right now is the result of control systems.

[TonightsFights]

could you just work on getting us traffic lights that don't turn red unless they need to, sitting at the red light while no traffic is coming from either direction, is the most colossal waste of time. lol

[Millichip100]

Nicely euphemized and propagandized. Instead of Wisdom at the top, why not call it what it is - Control?

[Armin Obst]

Denn Sie wissen nicht was sie tun.

1.Kor 8,6 (NT_HJJ_2008)...

ist jedoch für uns ein Gott, der Vater, von dem alles ist, und wir sind für ihn; und es ist ein Herr, Jesus Christus, durch den alles ist, und wir sind durch ihn. Mal 2:10; Eph 4:6; Röm 11:36; Joh 13:13; 1.Kor 12:3; Phil 2:11

[casdavies]

this sounds like hell.