New Book! ArchiTechs

cc: 4ELEVEN Images

 

I’ve currently working on my second book called ArchiTechs: How to Work, Govern and Learn in a Hyper-Connected World. I’m pretty psyched about it.

What is an ArchiTech?

An ArchiTech is someone who uses technology (either creates new technology or uses existing technology) to impact the world around them at a micro or macro level.

 

Who is an ArchiTech?

Here’s where it gets really fun: you are. I am too. In fact, we are all ArchiTechs. Today, thanks to new collaborative technologies and the advent of social networks, anyone has the ability and potential to have an impact. Whether it’s using Facebook to mobilize protests during the Arab Spring, using Twitter to coordinate clean ups after the UK riots or creating new technologies that are revolutionizing everything from publishing to healthcare, we are in a new era of the empowered individual. Welcome to the age of ArchiTechs.

 

What’s this book going to be about?

Well, it’s going to be about us. This book is about our stories and how we are changing the status quo in unprecedented ways.  It will look at how technology has changed our behaviour as individuals, how it’s impacted our relationships, influenced our attitudes and expanded how we define our own identities.

 

No Country for Old Industries

I’m interviewing some of the most interesting people from all over the world. ArchiTechs that are using technology to create amazing new ways to learn, interact and create content. Over the course of the next months I’ll share with you some snippets of the interviews of people turning industries upside down. From finance and tourism to international relations and governing, nothing is exempt from this revolution. I will be pulling together a comprehensive analysis of some of the major industries and how they are being impacted by all of this technological upheaval.

The Dark Side of the Force

This isn’t a technology cheerleading book. It’s not all rainbows and puppies. Not every ArchiTech wants to build something good, in fact there are many who want to use it for evil. I’m researching how this new paradigm is opening us up to an entire new world of risks and threats. I’m exploring how terror organizations are taking advantage of social networks, how drug cartels are using twitter, the rise of digital vigilantism, anonymous hacker collectives, the perils of cyber stalking, the new frontier of cyber-terrorism and anything else that captures my fancy or strikes a bit of fear in my heart. ;)

A Global Perspective

I’m including in depth looks at some of the world’s most exciting markets: emerging economies and how the ArchiTechs from those countries are playing an increasingly important role. New open source networks from India, amazing start up communities in Brazil, innovation hubs in Russia and the incredible rate of technological advancement in China. How are these markets tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges such as the environment, the global economy and the development of sustainable business models?

 

The Big Questions:

Our world is changing! We are now living in an age where we, the people, are innovating so fast that institutions just can’t keep up. In the blink of an eye, our social norms have changed. New technologies and social platforms make it easier than ever for people to connect and collaborate. Simply put: Our way of life is outpacing our institutional models, many of which haven’t changed in decades. Schools, corporations, and government agencies are now scrambling to catch up.

  • What happens when our institutions — workplaces, government, education systems — no longer connect with the people they’re meant to engage?
  • What happens when businesses are unable to meet the expectations of consumers, competitors, and stakeholders?
  • When governments no longer represent their constituents?
  • When education is dwarfed by innovation?
  • How should we  adapt, reposition, and move forward?

I’m not sure yet, but I’m hoping to find out!

 

Note: This is all an evolving concept so the content you see here might change depending on where my research takes me.  To stay up to date on my progress join my Facebook page. (Do it now, I’ll wait!) I’ll be sharing updates, interesting research and interview tidbits along the way.