O'Reilly Network: The Network Really Is the Computer

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Saved by 4 people (0 private), first by anonymouse user on 2008-09-21

Dokeefe on 2009-07-25 - Tags oreilly , network , open-source , lecture
Josemota on 2008-11-04 - Tags oreilly , networks , tese
Wolffw on 2008-09-28 - Tags web20 , ecology , o'reilly , network , architecture
Bkrweb20 on 2008-09-21 - Tags Tim O'Reilly , open source , network

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Before I start, though, I want to introduce a few concepts that give a foundation for thinking about the spread of technologies as well. The first of these concepts come from ecology.

You may think that I want to bring in ecology because O'Reilly's books all have animals on the cover, but it really does go deeper than that!

First off, ecology teaches us that it takes a web of cooperating species to create a truly rich environment. Each of us depends on thousands, if not millions, of other organisms, each pursuing its own selfish goals, yet somehow weaving a cooperative web that, for the most part, benefits all. I believe that open source has many parallels to a functioning ecology. Each developer builds for his own use, and that of his friends, but also makes it easy for collateral benefits to accrue to others he or she doesn't know. And the open source developer contributes even his failures back into the environment, to enrich the soil from which other innovations can grow.

Second, ecology teaches us that a rich environment takes time to evolve. One species prepares the ground for another. For example, lichens and mosses break down rock, creating soil that can support more complex plants. Ecological succession takes time. But as the substrate laid down by simple organisms grows richer, the possibilities for complexity increase.

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