So, what is reality when it comes to the digital world in which we live? Is it looming somewhere between a status update and a text? Maybe. Are we waiting for holograms and eye scanning augmented reality to take us by storm? Not quite.
All I know is that we are in a world where our digital lives are a key, important role in our real, physical lives. It enables us to become smarter, stronger; almost superhuman. So what is driving this mechanism of digital evolution?
Digital
As we continuously interact, we not only learn efficiencies to produce the best output, but the digital space itself is learning our behavior and reacting accordingly. As we continue to search, browse, and surf the interwebs we are continually providing much needed history and executions of our needs to allow the search and tracking Gods to give us the most relevant content necessary for the fulfillment of our needs. This learning mechanism is spanning multiple platforms and search algorithms to give us the most effective use of our Internet time.
The digital reality that our individualized digital activity is becoming a driving force to our dependence on digital information in our physical, real lives.
Social
Social networks have allowed us to stay in touch with our friends, families, old acquaintances and even our favorite brands, organizations, news, or groups. But this shift has driven our need for content delivery and real time information. During breaking news, we turn to our social networks instead of turning on the TV. We long for the rhetoric our network has on an issue or situation. Coupling the semantics of the digital search with the real time access our social networks and social media provide, we are depending more and more on the most relevant content and information coming to us, where we are, when we want it.
Social has allowed us to redefine what it is to gather. Not only can we meet in person, or have a gathering with people physically with us, we now include others that can’t be there physically. No longer is there a barrier for travel or long distance. We can completely include far off relationships in physical situations and events.
The social reality is that we are no longer dependent on looking for information, content, or relationships. They now find us based on our “opt-ins” and engagements; alleviating the trials and tribulations and time associated with search and relationship efforts.
Mobile
Tired of being strapped to your computer to fulfill your digital realty? Simply reach for your pocket. Mobile technologies and applications have given us the power of converging our digital lives with our physical, on-the-go, active lifestyles. Including semantic digital experience and social network capabilities, mobile devices give us the power to learn, interact, and engage with our favorite people, information, and news where ever we are in the world physically. Breaking down the barriers of the computer (whether mainframe or laptop), mobile connectivity empowers us as informed friends, family members, consumers, and advocates. No longer do we have to wait to tell people what we did, reach out for customer service, describe an event… just reach into our pocket and let it go.
This connectivity has shifted news sources. Each of us has the power. We are now the news, we are now the content creators and distributors. All we have to do is click and upload.
The mobile reality is the line between physical and digital is slowly blurring. The interactivity of 2d bar codes, visual identification software and location based services will empower us further in our physical life to interact with the beyond, in real time.
Data
How is all this amazing empowerment possible? What is the driving force behind real time and relevance? Data. Every interaction, every interest, every connection, every engagement… every aspect of our lives are being stored and used to provide us with the most relevant information needed to fulfill our requests in the shortest amounts of time. Based on our digital interactions, we can get real time recommendations for physical activities; find out where to eat, what bar has the best bloody mary’s, etc. Each of us become a glorified version of who we are… even though we may forget from time to time, our data keeps us reminded of our interests, likes, and relationships.
The reality of data is just that… reality. What defines us as individuals is our interests, interactions, engagements, experiences, connections. The digital realm is just a repository of that information and catalyst for relevance and time.
Digital is becoming reality. It empowers us. What is your digital reality?
Today launched the awesome incubator TechCrunch Disrupt here in NYC. I, however, was unable to attend, but was glued to my monitor like it was March Madness or the Tour de France. Some great things are happening in the world of technology. Apps connecting the dots of individual user behavior, location, customizable offers, gamification, and shiny new technologies on smartphones and other mobile devices. And as a Physical / Digital Convergence nerd, I’m excited to see what comes from each of these new startups as well as some of the others coming out of TechStars and Y Combinator.
