Module 2: The Beginng of Collaboration

Last week, I basically summarized Thomas Friedman's reasoning behind how the world is becoming flatter, mainly in a social and cultural sense. In fact, as a world we are narrowing our once huge diversities that separated us, initially geography, which then evolved with Columbus, and now the work force is inclusive in the diversity of culture and technology.

So this encompassing collaboration began with the age of the Internet, and specifically, the modifications and eventually standardized protocol to then become ever more inclusive to everybody and their computer. Workflow software is the key to allowing everyone's different computer systems to accept each other and process the documents, spreadsheets, pictures and what not. Friedman has said that compared with the Berlin Wall and Netscape, this discovery was a “quiet” revolution. I can relate with that conclusion, in particularly how the new big-hit things are what makes news. Then the more contributing and intellectual breakthroughs tend to be the least recognized.  But this in fact had the biggest contribution in bringing together the corners of the earth, hence flattening. Work flow software started with SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol) which allowed email to be converted per system and make it universally accepted. I believe that just this alone is a breakthrough, as similarly the telephone had, so people, anybody, can communicate digitally, not having to worry whether someone runs with the same system as themselves. Even just unanimous email can bring collaboration, critics and ideas from all over the globe. More software continued to develop, making more features available everywhere. TCP/IP was next, making is possible for all applications to also be read from anywhere. Ultimately, the discovery with XML (SOAP), made possible for computer to talk to computer, making a widespread translator for data.

 I could grasp the concept perfectly with the analogy of the Tower of Babel that Friedman pointed out, as I am familiar with the bible story and could relate.  My own correlation I thought to relate with, was a theoretical instance of a type of universal translator described in most Sci-Fi movies, simulating a device that allows aliens of different races to communicate despite the language barrier. Compared to the “old school way”, of having a communications officer primitively help with language deciphering, certainly not as effective. Especially when recounting many Star Trek episodes, where from their exploration and successful first contact, collaboration was made possible. Treaties and technology are discussed, to bring to pass flow within species and differing planets. Just as the new standardized protocol brings a flow with companies and continents at a faster rate, working to reveal a new global platform for collaboration.

With such open doors from these modifications, increasing improvements will escalate the rate of advancement in technology. With the open door in communication, a new phase on with the Internet had substantial benefits. Uploading. Another revolutionary step. Major advances in this area include Wikipedia, Blogging/Pod-casting, and exclusively, community development software (open software.) Community development software is, as you can guess by the name, software developed by the community, in basic terms. Base codes for programs and new software are generated and made public by a motivated collaborative team purely volunteering for the good of the future. This software can be updated and reviewed, with many patches or in other words, contributions. These then can be the base, or as in Friedman’s analogy, vanilla in an ice-cream sundae, which then can be improved, personalized and patented as the toppings. This free-for-all seeming project, is a place where individuals can shine and bring forth potential. This event proves that we have a place to be empowered, to create, upload and enlighten on complex things. In an economical prospective though, I have to agree with Microsoft’s insight that free can’t be forever, for lack of incentive without the reimbursement to innovate. But I believe the roots of this open community phase is empowering and collective in gaining differing viewpoints and insight; also bringing together self-inspired and determined individuals to get a job done how they foresee, creating a sturdy foundation for all.

With the proof that digitally, things can get done with a diverse community, it can be taken to the next level. Not limited to creating base codes and software, but other daily jobs in the workforce. This my friends, is outsourcing. Sourcing people, man-hours, and intelligence outward, scattered from a standardized office building. As previously mentioned in my last post, which left off with the new links of outsourcing currently in the workforce, Friedman explored the extent of this support. Particularly with India, which continues education for outsourcing specialized jobs and English classes to “flatten” their accents. “Why is this a thing now?” some might ask. Well “work gets done where it can be done most effectively and efficiently.”