INTRODUCTION:

In this short piece, as we "pioneer in the field of cyberspace", I'm sharing a few thoughts on the place of technology in these early days of the "Knowledge Economy", which may be of interest. My thoughts apply to my little (and "adopted") home country of New Zealand in particular, but I believe the basic (very over-used word!) PRINCIPLES apply world-wide.

Bill Gates once described the "Information Age as the "Wild West of Cyberspace." A few years ago, he also said there would be two kinds of businesses in the year 2001: 1. those online and 2. those out of business!

What is knowledge?

"He who receives an idea from me receives instruction himself, without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine receives light without darkening me." - Thomas Jefferson

We are becoming ever-more a "knowledge society" - with the rapid diffusion (big word!) and exchanging of huge amounts of information daily. This makes the sheer volume of knowledge difficult to absorb.

A few personal thoughts... I believe NOW is an ideal moment in history to look with fresh eyes at the kind of society we want to create, in a world, where knowledge is replacing the old sources of wealth and power as the driving force in the world's most successful societies.

In recent years we are seeing "little" New Zealand's rapid transition from a pastoral to a knowledge economy (and society), as we are fast "catching and riding the knowledge wave". I believe it's more "an age of wisdom" in sharing information world-wide through the amazing power of the internet.

Businesses MUST "get with the times" and respond by embracing the enormous international opportunities offered by the Internet. It's either ADAPT or DIE ("a slow lingering death").

I believe that we should be finding new paths for social and economic development. New Zealand's economy and society need to be driven far more by knowledge, technology and innovation than in the past. I feel we need to urgently seek a STRATEGY for this "NEW KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY" that we are living in. We should "forge, mould and hew a knowledge society out of the old by catching this immensely powerful Knowledge Wave"... then riding it like the giant waves from the winter storms at Waimea Bay in Hawaii - to the absolute best of our individual abilities.

Here in far-off New Zealand (near the bottom of the world), I believe we have an excellent foundation to be extremely successful in the global economy. However, we must move speedily ahead to be a far more "knowledge-driven" economy; otherwise we could become "also rans" in the ultra-competitive global market place.

I truly believe that many New Zealanders have not yet recognized that the Internet is the modern equivalent of the 'freezer ships of yonder', that revolutionized our economy last century. As we enter the twenty-first century, the Internet will be our 'key vessel' for reaching global markets from these far-off "sleepy shores".

In doing this we WILL find new paths for social and economic development. Knowledge is replacing the old sources of wealth and power, as the driving source in the world's most successful societies. We must become a "knowledge export platform"...and that is the vision for my little business, Eagle Productions based in provincial NZ.

In effect, we are creating wealth through the commercialization of ideas. We are utilizing to the fullest, the amazing creative potential of the human IMAGINATION to reach the world.

"The "digital divide": In the future there will be a widening gap between those with the skills in the new technological age and the "not so well off", those "poor souls", who have not put in the effort to acquire or update their computer and technological skills. It is a matter of using our resources wisely in this "digital age."

Here in NZ I believe, we need to be driven far more by knowledge, technology, innovation and renovation. The first step is transforming the innovative spirit that allows we "Kiwis" (New Zealanders) to turn no.8 wire into innumerable useful tools around the farm, into a commercial operation. It's simply a matter of "sharpening the pencil" of New Zealand's focus from agriculture to e-commerce.

Refocussing existing economies and enhancing existing products (traditional, such as agriculture and horticulture) through adding value via the world wide web. Utilizing the best of the old, yet with the hope and optimism of the "new world".

USE Information Technology with all the amazing powers of the world wide web . With the web and e-mail, we must always keep technology in perspective - by using it for 'ease of communication at the click of a mouse', to make our lives easier and market products and services around the globe efficiently and cheaply in the early days of this "New Age of Wisdom"!

Each individual has a responsibility, a great opportunity, to utilize their utmost potential to gab this "moment in history", this "heartbeat in eternity".

Make technology WORK FOR YOU -: for your (and your family's good, your business and especially your country.

It's the spirit of its people that makes a country, any country, great...so build not walls, but bridges.

Craig Lock

"It is not what your country can do for you, but what YOU can do for your country." - charismatic former US President, John F. Kennedy

"The spiritual is stronger than any material force, thoughts rule the world." - the great and inspirational American philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson

"As with humans, a country, any country will become as great as the thoughts, hopes, aspirations and imaginations of ALL its citizens...and the loftier they are, the higher that country will reach in fulfilling its unique potential." - Craig Lock

"The nations that will be successful in the information revolution may be large or small, and are unfettered as to hemisphere. Assuredly, however, they will have invested in the critical information, computer. social and Internet infrastructures." (McGovern, 1998)

"I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it." - Jonathan Winters

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