The Global Information Technology Report measures the extent to which 133 economies from both the developed and developing worlds leverage ICT advances for increased growth and development through the methodological framework of the Networked Readiness Index.
On the top of the list is Sweden followed by Singapore, Denmark, and Switzerland. Having a closer look at the data for Switzerland, I read, for example, that – compared to other countries – the individual and business ICT usage in Switzerland is very high. I also noticed some weaknesses. For example, the Swiss Government is lacking behind regarding usage of ICT. On this dimension, Switzerland is in 34th place. Among Switzerland’s relative competitive weaknesses are also telephony costs. Telephony costs in Switzerland remain very high by international standards, even when accounting for differences in costs of living. As an example, Switzerland ranks 84th and 62nd for mobile cellular and fixed telephones tariffs, respectively.
Listening to Mr. Soumitra Doutta in the interesting 13 minute conversation below, I learned, for example this:
- It is quite possible that fixed line telephones will be dropped from the indicator list in near future, while mobile broadband will become a stronger indicator.
- The creative sector is becoming much more important.
March 31, 2010
Global Information Technology Report 2009-2010
March 28, 2010
4 ideas for reinventing the automobile
Via this interesting Innovation Watch posting, I learned about four ideas for reinventing the automobile:
Idea # 1
First, we must transform the DNA of the automobile, basing it on electric-drive and wireless communication rather than on petroleum, the internal combustion engine, and stand-alone operation. This allows vehicles to become lighter, cleaner, and “smart” enough to avoid crashes and traffic jams.
Idea # 2
Second, automobiles need to be linked by a Mobility Internet that allows them to collect and share data on traffic conditions, intelligently coordinates their movements, and keeps drivers connected to their social networks.
Idea # 3
Third, automobiles must be recharged through a convenient, cost-effective infrastructure that is integrated with smart electric grids and makes increasing use of renewable energy sources.
Idea # 4
Finally, dynamically priced markets for electricity, road space, parking space, and shared-use vehicles must be introduced to provide optimum management of urban mobility and energy systems.
For more inputs on transportation innovation, have a look, for example, at this presentation.
March 27, 2010
Mr. Ray Kurzweil: Empower people to be creative
In this good Credit Suisse interview with Mr. Ray Kurzweil, I noticed, for example, this extract:
"15 years ago, if someone took out a mobile phone at the movies, that was kind of a signal that this person was very wealthy and powerful. And they didn't work very well. Then over the next 10 years, we put out a billion cell phones. And then over the next three years, we put out the second billion. The third billion took 14 months. The fourth billion took eight months. Within less than two years from now, every person on the planet will have a cell phone. But they are already ubiquitous; half the farmers in China have cell phones with Internet access. These farmers can access all of human knowledge with a few keystrokes. They can write blogs and create knowledge. There are a hundred million blogs in China. They are a democratizing force."
Watching this 2 minute video, I learned from Mr. Kurzweil that it’s very important now to empower people to be creative.
March 19, 2010
March 18, 2010
March 17, 2010
Can you imagine how your city’s mobility will develop this century?
Watching this 3½ minute extract of a big think interview with Mr. Geoff Wardle, I learned, for example, that
- Cities will become more community based - taking advantage, for example, of the connectivity possibilities that have advanced with social media / Web 2.0 / collaborative technologies.
- People will have more options not to move around, i.e. people will have the opportunity to work close to where they live.
- Rather than a commute being a couple of hours every day, maybe a commute means just a couple of minutes.
- We will produce food and other goods we consume more locally.
March 16, 2010
Musicians have a better memory
Via this posting, I learned that musicians have better memory.
What do you do to get a better memory?
March 13, 2010
Can you imagine a world without countries?
Listening to John Lennon sing Imagine, the following words in the song struck me:
“Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do.”
Can you imagine a world without countries?
March 09, 2010
The Future of Work
Via a Twitter update by Marc Sniukas, I came across this presentation about the future of work.
March 07, 2010
Facebook values
Via a Twitter update by Larry McManis, I came across this posting including an interesting interview with Facebook founder and leader Mark Zuckerberg. Listening to the interview, I learned about the following 3 values of Facebook, which Mr. Zuckerberg sees as being key to the company’s success:
Move quickly.
Be bold.
Focus on impact.
Here's a 2 minute extract of the 30 minute interview:
March 02, 2010
Solar energy is on its way
This evening, I participated at an interesting forum energie zürich event. I learned, for example, that solar energy has quite a large potential. Watching this 9½ minute video, which I came across through this blog posting by Alexander Osterwalder, I got a similar impression. In the video, Mr. Jigar Shaw mentioned, for example, that in 2100, the vast amount of our energy will come from solar. Mr. Shaw also asks: "Can we do it sooner?" What do you think?
