We are awash in a sea of data. It is why we possess our five senses. Processing the incoming streams of information - sight, smell, touch, etc. - is necessary for our survival. But we are now at an important inflection point in our evolution – a point where our basic, ancient sensory abilities are increasingly useless. You must now sense, analyze and respond to data that is either not obvious, not local or is simply undetectable.
And while tools, in the traditional sense, developed out of our need to extend our basic manual dexterity and capabilities, so too must new tools be developed to help us extend and enhance our basic sensory organs to cope with this new, emerging environment.
A house is a response to the basic human need for protection and shelter from the natural elements. In all of its various forms it satisfies this basic function. Through the ages tools and processes were perfected and passed down that would allow anybody with the need to adequately construct a simple home. In the western world the language of the day for house construction is one of 2x4s, sheetrock, nails and hammers.
In today’s world, where our civilization has afforded us the luxury of security and protection from the need to hunt, gather and build, we are faced with the need to handle a new set of requirements, namely, the need to process a wealth of information that is presenting itself in increasing volume. The question must be asked – what are the 2x4s, hammers and nails with which I will build a structure to contain, comprehend and control this new world? I have a cell phone. I have a PDA. I have a computer. I have a VCR. Is that enough? Are you crazy?
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