In 1996, as I wrote the Introduction to a book that my co-author (Gene De Libero) and I would call Strategic Networking, I wanted to capture in words what I could about the innovation that was then in an early stage of adoption: internetworking, or as we now think of it as the Internet. As I was searching for a metaphor that would help define our perspective on understanding and managing this technological change on an individual, organizational, and social perspective, I drew upon my experience as a surfer attempting to catch and ride a wave.
“Networking is a highly dynamic innovation that moves quickly and broadly like the crest of a high-rising wave. Riding that crest means balancing your existing networking assets, knowledge, and skills against the steep and often risky investment in new technology. Moving ahead too far incurs risks inherent with unproven technology. Yet remaining behind courts obsolescence and the related loss of competitiveness. Riding the crest is also not without cost. It requires a constant commitment of resources for strategic planning and management.”
More than a decade has passed since the release of that first version of the book when we realized that the wave I was describing was more like a tsunami surging onto shore with the full force of nature. Rather than bringing destruction, the Internet and all forms of internetworking have become a global infrastructure for communications and commerce that we all have incorporated into our lives.
As each of us look back on this great wave of change and where it has carried us so far, we can see that it is dynamic and constantly growing. It is not merely technological, but social; not merely fixed, but mobile. At this point in change and time, we look forward as well, to where we sense it is moving so that we can catch and hold it in ways that help us continue to ride the crest of change.
Gene and I are in the early stages of creating the second version of Strategic Networking. Much has changed in publishing since the first version and it is part of this wave. We are considering many ways to float this boat, including self-publishing in e-book format, but we are open to making it available through the many innovations that are still occurring in the publishing world.
We want to make the content and form of this book part of this wave, rather than a floating piece of driftwood. In that endeavor, I welcome your suggestions and comments about the book and what topics you feel we should cover in it, but also about your sense of this great wave and the change it has ushered in your life.
Catch the Wave!
Paul “Doc” Henry
What better way to update our book than to turn to the global Internetwork of people riding the crest of change along with us? I’m thrilled about the idea of crowdsourcing ideas for the new revision and echo Doc’s comment above: “We want to make the content and form of this book part of this wave, rather than a floating piece of driftwood.” Well said, my friend.
We look forward to your ideas for what should be included in a book about internetworking and the Internet – in reply here or on Gene’s blog.
The “great wave” of social networking has enabled me to reconnect with people I thought I would never see or talk to again. I am often in search of new and better ways to connect and network with others. Technology has made it inexpensive to communicate with people throughout the world. Those who are not “riding the rising crest of “the wave” better have someone close by who is or they stand to become a technological fossil.
For me, the internet has been a way to expand my mind, my presence, my voice. I can only see more of this in the future, but I also see the need to be careful. “There be dragons!”
Thanks J and Ed for your early comments in reply to our SN2 “shout out” here;-) Your points about emphasizing social networking and security are well taken and will receive corresponding attention in the new version.
As an ex-pat living in Europe, I am always extremely interested in books available entirely online. This is an economical, ecologically friendly, and globally-minded way to publish. At the same time, I recognize that many consumers prefer traditionally published books, and there is something to be said for the perceived credibility of a traditional hard back text. I would suggest a combination of publishing methods – both online and on paper – at least for this edition.
Thanks Mary, for providing your feedback on the publishing strategy for the book (which we plan to adopt) and also for the inherent global, economic, and environmental concerns which should be addressed in its content.
The world has been (largely) connected in a technological manner during this first great wave. These types of issues should be part of how we address the social aspects of internetworking that is occurring in the second wave of innovation.