Category Archives: 21st Century Human

How to Become a 21st Century Human: Navigating the Digital Age

10 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to cultivate the skills and mindset necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Technology is advancing at a rapid rate – The Digital Era is enabling “A Growth Mindset in the Age of Abundance”’ – keeping up can be a challenge.

Being a 21st century human means being adaptable, flexible, and technologically literate.

So what can you do to become a 21st century human?

1. Embrace Lifelong Learning

One of the most important things you can do to become a 21st century human is to embrace lifelong learning. This means being curious and constantly seeking new knowledge and skills, whether it’s through formal education or informal learning opportunities. In the digital age, new technologies and tools are constantly emerging, and staying up-to-date on the latest trends and developments is essential for staying relevant. Online learning is bringing new opportunities to learn new skills rapidly and through the growth of the internet you can find information quickly.

2. Develop Digital Literacy

Another key aspect of being a 21st century human is developing digital literacy. This means having a basic understanding of how digital technologies work, as well as the ability to use them effectively. Some key digital literacy skills include:

  • Basic computer skills, such as typing, using a mouse, and navigating software programs
  • Online communication skills, such as email etiquette, video conferencing, and instant messaging
  • Social media skills, such as creating and managing profiles, sharing content, and engaging with others
  • Cybersecurity awareness, such as understanding the risks of online behavior and how to protect your personal information

Another Digital Literacy skill you may wish to undertake is to learn a programming language. Not necessarily to become a programmer, but to understand how code works and how to read code. There are plenty of resources online and videos on learning and picking up these skills.

3. Cultivate Soft Skills

While technical skills are important, being a 21st century human also requires cultivating soft skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. These skills are essential for working effectively in a team, managing conflicts, and adapting to change. Some ways to develop these skills include:

  • Volunteering or participating in community activities
  • Joining a club or organization related to your interests
  • Taking courses or workshops on communication and leadership
  • Build on you Quotients (Using the best of the Q Continuum)

4. Stay Current with Industry Trends

To be successful in the 21st century, it’s important to stay current with industry trends and developments. This means keeping up with news and developments in your field, attending conferences and networking events, and staying connected with colleagues and industry experts. Some ways to stay informed include:

5. Be Adaptable and Resilient

Finally, being a 21st century human means being adaptable and resilient in the face of change. This means being willing to learn new skills, take on new challenges, and embrace new technologies and tools. It also means being able to bounce back from setbacks and failures, and to persevere in the face of obstacles.

Becoming a 21st century human isn’t something that happens overnight, it takes time to develop yourself and change your mindset, but through taking regular steps you can change your habits to be a 21st century human.

Whether you’re just starting out in your career or looking to make a change, cultivating these skills and qualities can help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of the 21st century. (2020 – The Age of Ambiguity)

Further Reading

Digital Mindset Tools – Second Brain

Having the Right Digital Mindset

Knowledge Fit for 2020

How you can begin to Code

Using the best of the Q Continuum

Personal Knowledge Management System – Revised for 2023

Thinking of Blogging?

2020 – The Age of Ambiguity

The Intersection of Technology and Ethics

07 Tuesday Mar 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Digital, Security

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

Technology has always brought ethical dilemmas throughout the ages from the rise of machinery in cotton mills to facial recognition today. With the rise of technology in modern society, this has also led to the increase of various ethical dilemmas, challenging us to navigate the intersection of technology and ethics.

Our ability to report and consume information has made a lot of these dilemmas more visible to everyone and allowed society to debate them as these can have significant implications on individuals, society, and the environment. As technology evolves it is important to consider the ethical implications and ensure they align with human values and benefits humanity.

Here are some of the ethical considerations of technology to consider;

Privacy: The collection, storage, and use of personal data are among the most significant ethical concerns in technology. Laws such as GDPR exist to help with this and help guide on what is and is not acceptable/possible.

Bias: The development and use of technology can perpetuate biases, such as gender or racial bias, and lead to discrimination. AI is a good example of this it is essential to ensure that algorithms and technologies are developed and tested to prevent biases and align with ethical principles. Also to ensure fairness in the algorithms decision’s

Impact on Jobs: Will AI take peoples jobs? This is a topic I have blogged about before “I lost my job to a robot“. The increasing use of artificial intelligence and automation raises questions about the impact on jobs and the workforce.

Cybersecurity: The more we store and use technology the more we can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks and data breaches, posing risks to individuals’ privacy and security. Good cybersecurity and good end user practices are key to the success of any technology.

Environmental impact: The production and disposal of technology can have significant environmental impacts, including pollution and waste. It’s crucial to prioritize sustainable practices, such as using eco-friendly materials and implementing recycling programs.

Autonomy: Technology can be used to monitor and control individuals, raising concerns about autonomy and individual rights. the news on facial recognition cameras at a location in London showed the impact this can have.

Access and Inequality: Technology can perpetuate existing social and economic inequalities by limiting access to technology and excluding marginalised groups. The digital divide between those that can readily access and those that can’t is a big problem for society today.

As technology develops it is important that we look to continually monitor the impacts and make adjustments to ensure that it aligns with ethical principles. Ultimately, technology is best placed to improve the human experience while considering the impact on society, the environment, and future generations.

Data, Data Everywhere: The Rise of Datafication

23 Thursday Feb 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Data, Data Science, Productivity

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

From prehistoric time painting the number of mammoth killed of food, to the first weather forecast recorded and in present times the number of followers and posts someone has made, humanity is obsessed with data, and its growing exponentially. At the same time we seem to be afraid of pressing delete and put our minds to working out new ways to record, analyse and report on things.

Through data we are able to find new ways of doing things, fixing things and developing new things across multiple fields and disciplines. Datafication is a term that was introduced in 2013 and covers how we are turning data in to useful things today.

Our smartphones, fitness trackers, and even our cars are collecting data about us and the world around us.

In the age of information, data is everywhere. From the time we wake up in the morning to the moment we fall asleep at night, we are surrounded by data.

What is Datafication?

Datafication is a technological trend turning many aspects of our life into data which is subsequently transferred into information realised as a new form of value.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datafication

Datafication is the process of turning everything into data. It involves collecting, storing, analysing, and using data to make decisions and predictions. Datafication has become increasingly popular in recent years due to the rapid advancement of technology and the rise of big data. With the advent of the internet and the proliferation of connected devices, we are generating more data than ever before.

The amount of data generated each day varies and is difficult to precisely measure since it depends on multiple factors such as the sources of data and the definition of what constitutes “data.” However, it’s estimated that around 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created each day.

This number is constantly increasing as more devices and systems become connected to the internet and generate data, and as technology advances to enable the creation of more data types, such as videos, images, and sensor data. Additionally, with the rise of machine learning and artificial intelligence, there is an increasing need for vast amounts of data to train these algorithms, further driving the growth of data creation

Why is Datafication Important?

Datafication has become an important aspect of modern society because it has the potential to improve the way we live, work, and play. By analysing data, using tools, methods and AI we can gain insights into everything from consumer behavior to traffic patterns to the spread of diseases. This information can be used to make better decisions, optimise processes, and solve problems.

One area where datafication has had a significant impact is healthcare. With the help of wearable devices and electronic health records, healthcare providers can collect and analyse data to monitor patient health and identify potential health risks. This has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Datafication has also had a significant impact on business. By collecting and analysing data on customer behavior, businesses can gain insights into what their customers want and need. This information can be used to improve products and services, optimise pricing strategies, and target marketing efforts.

The Risks of Datafication

While datafication has many benefits, it also comes with risks. One of the biggest risks is the potential for data breaches and privacy violations. As more and more data is collected and stored, the risk of a data breach increases. This can result in the theft of personal information, financial data, and other sensitive information.

Another risk of datafication is the potential for bias. When data is collected and analysed, it is important to ensure that the data is representative and unbiased. If the data is biased, it can lead to inaccurate conclusions and decisions.

The Future of Datafication

Datafication has given the opportunities for new roles in data analysis to become commonplace and help drive businesses through new ways of looking at data.

Conclusion

Datafication is a powerful tool that has the potential to improve the way we live, work, and play. As data continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, it is important to ensure that we use it responsibly and ethically.

“Digital Ash” – What we leave behind

22 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Data, Security

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

As technology continues to evolve, more and more of our lives are being lived online. We use social media to connect with friends and family, conduct business online, and even store important documents and memories. But what happens to all of this digital content when we die?

Recent experiences for me around this topic are the reason that I decided to write about it.

It is possible in some platforms now to assign trustees of the account who can deal with it when you are no longer able to. Other systems don’t and the data just stays there.

The internet is full of “digital ash,” the digital remnants of our lives that we leave behind when we die. This digital content can include everything from social media profiles to email accounts, cloud storage, and more. The amount of content we leave grows on a daily basis as we live our normal lives.

Here are some important things to consider about digital ash:

Ownership

When we die, our digital assets still exist online. However, the ownership of these assets is often unclear. Depending on the platform, our digital content may be owned by the platform itself, our family members, or the executor of our estate. It’s important to understand who owns these assets and what can be done with them.

Privacy

Digital content can contain sensitive information that we may not want to be publicly available after we die. For example, email accounts may contain sensitive financial information or private conversations. It’s important to consider privacy when thinking about what will happen to our digital ash after we die. Many systems now implement two factor authentication which protects the data, but if its your wish to have it deleted can someone actually do this with a high level of security in place?

Legacy

Social media accounts, blogs, and other digital content can serve as a form of legacy after we die. Our online presence can provide comfort to loved ones and allow them to remember us. It’s important to consider what we want our legacy to be and how our digital ash can contribute to that legacy.

Digital Estate Planning

Just like we plan for our physical estate, we can also plan for our digital estate. Digital estate planning involves creating a plan for what will happen to our digital content after we die. This can include instructions for how social media accounts should be managed, how email accounts should be closed, and more. Do you have a plan alongside your will?

Online Memorials

In recent years, there has been an increase in the creation of online memorials for loved ones who have passed away. These memorials can take the form of social media pages, blogs, or other digital content. It’s important to consider whether we want an online memorial and how it should be created and managed.

It important to consider the above when you next review your will arrangements.

Digital Mindset Tools – Second Brain

21 Tuesday Feb 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Digital, Productivity

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

The concept of a “second brain” has gained popularity in recent years, especially among individuals who want to improve their digital mindset and optimize their productivity.

Having written about having the right digital mindset previously, I am now looking at the next levels of these posts and what you can do in more recent times.

What is a second brain?

A second brain is a system that allows you to store, organise, and retrieve information and ideas that are important to you. This is basically a way of storing those useful bits of knowledge, other than just using an email system as a knowledge system.

A second brain is a personal knowledge management tool that can help you capture and connect your thoughts, ideas, and experiences. It is often used to augment your own memory, to increase your productivity, and to help you make better decisions.

Why is a second brain useful?

There are many reasons why a second brain can be useful. Here are my top three:

  1. Better memory: A second brain can help you remember important information and ideas that you might otherwise forget. By capturing and organizing your thoughts and ideas, you can easily access them later when you need them.
  2. Increased productivity: A second brain can help you stay organized and focused, allowing you to work more efficiently and effectively.
  3. Better decision-making: By organizing and connecting your ideas and experiences, a second brain can help you see patterns and make connections that might not be immediately apparent.

How can you create a second brain using digital mindset tools?

There are many digital mindset tools that can help you create a second brain. Here are my top five, and there are many others such as One Note.

  1. Evernote: Evernote is a note-taking app that allows you to capture and organize your thoughts, ideas, and experiences. It’s a powerful tool for creating a second brain because it allows you to easily tag and categorize your notes, making them easy to find later.
  2. Notion: Notion is a versatile productivity tool that can be used for everything from note-taking to project management. It’s a popular choice for creating a second brain because it allows you to create databases, wikis, and other organizational tools that can help you stay organized and focused.
  3. Roam Research: Roam Research is a note-taking app that’s designed to help you connect your ideas and experiences. It’s a popular choice for creating a second brain because it allows you to easily link and cross-reference your notes, making it easy to see patterns and connections.
  4. Trello: Trello is a project management tool that can be used to create a second brain. You can create boards for different projects, and then use cards to capture and organize your thoughts, ideas, and experiences.
  5. Airtable: Airtable is a spreadsheet-like database that can be used to create a second brain. You can create tables for different topics, and then use fields to capture and organize your thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

Are you going to develop your second brain?

Further Reading

Having the right Digital Mindset

How to Build Yourself a Second Brain

Building a Second Brain: An Overview

David Seah: Variety of Downloadable Productivity Tools (free to download for personal non-commercial use)

Multiple Metaverse

01 Wednesday Feb 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Metaverse, Wearable Tech, xR

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Visiting new worlds used to be a topic of Science Fiction. Nowadays it is as easy as putting on a headset and being transported to a different setting, real or virtual. You can find yourself stood on top of a high mountain or at the bottom of the sea (using real photos) or in a completely different place or world (a virtual environment or metaverse).

Virtual world are not new. The gaming community has been using virtual worlds for a long time now, however Metaverses are now developing into useful spaces in which to work, rest and play.

Where did the term Metaverse come from? Neal Stephenson, Snow Crash (1992). The term metaverse was coined in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 science fiction novel Snow Crash, where humans, as programmable avatars, interact with each other and software agents, in a three-dimensional virtual space that uses the metaphor of the real world.

Today there are multiple Metaverses being developed at a fast rate and all playing to be the chosen place to go. But which is the best, which wins? I don’t have the answer to that because at the moment there are so many and lots of these platforms aiming to be the one go to place.

In the future though I do think that there will be one or two main platforms for business/consumers and multiple for entertainment.

Cost and accessibility are key to a platform becoming a strong player as well other factors such as security, attractiveness and our acceptance of modern technologies.

Metaverses are usually available through a number of access methods, from Mobile, to PC/Laptop to Headset. Not everyone can afford the few hundred pounds or dollars for a headset without a good justification (other than gaming in a lot of cases) and for a business equipping all its staff with a headset might be a big hit on the books, without a reasonable return. Headsets are developing at a fast rate and hopefully will develop into a cheaper form of headset to be more affordable by the masses.

This is where a Metaverse that has an option/client for access on a normal mobile, PC/Laptop/Tablet are gaining ground as there are more accessible to users and they can still experience the Metaverse, just without the wow factor of the immersive experience.

The challenge for these Metaverses is to make themselves more appealing to business and consumers other than looking like a game – “Where is that crate drop or quest giver!”.

Some Metaverses are offering land for sale using NFT and Blockchain technologies – a quick search on one of these sites and someone has purchased the virtual land that Buckingham Palace is on for $305.9 consisting of 133 lots (chunks of virtual land). This is one of many platforms out there. Could investing in the right platform pay off?

Across all these platforms though Security is still a big thing that needs to be considered, with risks such as identify and avatar theft, fraud, virtual land theft being some of these. One of the factors as to if a platform succeeds and becomes mainstream will be how secure it is.

So how many Metaverses are there….. Lots!

Here is a list of some of them, but there are a lot more out there:

  • Axle Infinity
  • Battle Infinity
  • Bloktopia
  • BlueJeans
  • Cryptovoxels
  • Decentraland
  • Everdome
  • Gather
  • Hyper Nation
  • Illuvium
  • Metahero
  • Meta Horizon Worlds
  • Myland
  • Nakamoto
  • Nvidia Omniverse
  • Roblox
  • RobotEra
  • Rooom
  • Sansar
  • Second Life
  • Sensorium Galaxy
  • Somnium Space
  • Sorare
  • Spatial
  • Stageverse
  • Star Atlas
  • Tamadoge
  • The Sandbox
  • uHive
  • Upland
  • Virbella
  • Viverse

My Virtual Selfie – Avatars and Identity Security

23 Monday Jan 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Digital, Metaverse

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

The creation and use of avatars isn’t a new concept, however with the growth and development in the MetaVerse and technology, they are getting better. Back in May 2020 I wrote a post about “Avatars – My Digital Selfie“, covering several avatar options and showed examples of different avatars across them. Two things came to my news feed recently that have made me re look at this topic. Firstly the news that Microsoft is closing down AltSpaceVR on the 10th March and users can now download their data before the platform closes. and secondly an email telling me of the new experiences being developed using Ready Player Me.

The explosion of MetaVerse and SocialVerse platforms is seeing lots of new platforms and older ones being shutdown, replaced or upgraded for new user experiences as well as supporting developments in technologies. Loosing AltSpaceVR is loosing a bit of nostalgia for me, but on with newer things as Microsoft are concentrating on Mesh and on October last year introduced Microsoft Mesh Avatars in Teams in preview.

I’m not going to republish all of my avatars again (see my previous post for that), however the image in this post is my Ready Player Me avatar. This can be used across a wide range of platforms, some of which I haven’t come across yet and probably won’t use, but its good to understand they are there.

Being able to use the same avatar across multiple platforms does have advantages and allows a single identity to be maintained. The amount of platforms that can or will adopt an avatar will be down to standards, cost and compatibility. Not every platform may operate at the same resolution or speed.

Whilst avatars are good fun and allow you to be represented in the virtual world by a set of pixels that look like you, there are a few draw backs (things not yet developed) that still need addressing.

Security – How easy is it to create an avatar? it’s not hard. How easy is it to create and avatar of somebody else? again its not hard. So whats stopping someone else mimicking you on a platform – nothing. This is an area that is in need of development and thinking. Although this is not a massive market at the moment, there are some questions that need considering. Here is my point of view on these.

  • Should there be a form of authentication that accompanies an avatar? – Yes, 2FA and an ID key embedded into the avatar. An avatar ID watermark to confirm its the actual person who is using it.
  • Should there be legislation covering false or identity theft using avatars? – Most probably, look at what is happening with deepfakes at the moment.
  • Should there be any specific legislation on avatar creation and detail? Maybe – This is an interesting one as avatars are getting better and becoming more lifelike. Yes there are virtual people systems today that can replicate a human without much error, but in this instance I am talking about standard avatars for everyone. Look at all the press around facial recognition. Would a system identifying a lifelike avatar be classed in a similar vane?

Avatars is an area to watch as they develop further. Do you have a view on these questions?

Our Acceptance of Modern Technologies

06 Friday Jan 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Productivity

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

,

I was sent a meme the other day which apart from making me laugh, actually illustrates our acceptance of modern technologies over a period of time and is the reason for this blog post.

Not sure who created the photo/meme so unable to credit at this time (so thanks internet).

We can explain Technology Acceptance through a model. How we use and perceive technology changes from person to person. There are also external factors that can effect our perception. Lets look at the meme as an example.

Previous advice from fuel vendors has always pointed at not using a mobile at the fuel pump. This information was spread through via an email stating that an influential figure in the fuel market said it was dangerous to use a mobile near a pump. This had a wide impact and the “Do not use your mobile near a fuel pump” sticker was born.

This guidance has been since shown to be a myth and was a topic of Myth Busters experiments. It was proved as busted back in 2004 and that in fact there is more danger from static electricity getting out of the car. This has in the main been accepted and in a complete turn around now and keeping up with modern banking and consumer trends, allow the payment of fuel through a mobile phone (of course you should always follow the latest legislation for use of a mobile whilst driving).

There is a Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) (defined by Fred Davies 1989) that can be used to look at how a technology may be accepted through its perceived use and usefulness.

The model is based on four constructs:

  • Perceived ease of use
  • Perceived usefulness
  • Attitudes
  • Actual behaviours

These constructs are linked as per the model diagram below:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Technology_Acceptance_Model.png

The model suggests that when users are presented with a new technology, a number of factors influence their decision about how and when they will use it, notably:

Perceived usefulness (PU) or (U) – This was defined by Fred Davis as “the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would enhance their job performance”. It means whether or not someone perceives that technology to be useful for what they want to do.

Perceived ease-of-use (PEOU) or (E) – Davis defined this as “the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would be free from effort” (Davis 1989). If the technology is easy to use, then the barriers conquered. If it’s not easy to use and the interface is complicated, no one has a positive attitude towards it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_acceptance_model#CITEREFDavis1989

The External Variables are factors that can effect the four constructs such as

  • Social influence
  • Design
  • Content
  • Entertainment
  • Cost

Social media is one external variable to add to the list, that has a growing impact on the PU and PEOU. Going back to the petrol pump analogy, in the video earlier referenced an influential person in the industry is quoted as saying don’t use mobiles at the pumps. In todays world the use of social media would have this message out quicker than an email, influencing how the product is used, myth or not. This has an influence on our perception of the technology.

The model however does not account for people doing things not as planned or rational. Here is a good video explaining the Technology Acceptance Model:

Top 10 Tech Podcasts for 2023

04 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Productivity, Tools

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

Following my last post on my PKMS (Personal Knowledge Management System), where I covered the use of Podcasts as one of my inputs into the information I consume, here are my top 10 Podcast recommendations for 2023. These are mostly technology based podcasts, although some have a wider scope.

1. The Digital Human (BBC)

In The Digital Human podcast Aleks Krotoski (Broadcaster and Journalist) explores the digital world and the topics that affect, grow and change it.

2. a16z Podcast

The a16z Podcast discusses tech and culture trends, news, and the future with regular multiple podcasts. The a16Z podcast is produced by Andreessen Horowitz a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm.

3. TED Radio Hour

The TED Radio Hour podcast brings together some of the best TED talk topics across a wide range of topics. This is a great way to get to hear about the latest information about TED talks.

4. WB-40 Podcast

In the WB-40 podcast hosted by Matt Ballantine and Chris Weston they hold conversations on how technology is changing how we work.

5. Tech Tent (BBC)

In the Tech Tent podcast broadcaster and journalist Rory Cellan-Jones talks about the latest stories in the tech world.

6. FT Tech Tonic

In the Tech Tonic podcast by the FT (Financial Times) it investigates the promises and perils of this new technological age – the digital revolution.

7. The Vergecast Podcast

The Vergecast podcast is hosted by Nilay Patel, David Pierce, and Alex Cranz, where they present a weekly view of tech news, whats happing now and in the future.

8. Tech Swamp Podcast

The Tech Swamp podcast covers global tech policy and business headlines, tidbits of tech history, and topical policy deep-dives on legislation and regulation in the U.S., EU, UK, and around the globe.

9. Tech Stuff Podcast

The Tech Stuff podcast hosted by Jonathan Strickland explores the people behind the tech, the companies that market it and how technology affects our lives and culture.

10. Back to Work Podcast

In the Back to Work podcast Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin discuss productivity, communication, work, barriers, constraints and tools.

What are your top 10 Podcasts for 2023?

Personal Knowledge Management System – Revised for 2023

03 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in 21st Century Human, Tools

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, ,

It has been a couple of years since I have updated my PKMS (Personal Knowledge Management System), so time to publish an updated system. Lots have changed over the past few years including a move to working from home more which has reduced my time in the car and catching up on podcasts, however it has allowed me more time to read. Some of the systems I was previously using I have removed from use and added in new ones.

I still believe strongly in separating my personal social and business social, although there is the occasional need for the two to cross.

Personal Life

Personal Journal

My go to notebook of choice for Journaling is still the Moleskine plain pocket book and I have just started journal number 35. Its quality and paper is good enough for my needs and archival quality. I still favour the Pilot ball ink pens (0.5 or 0.7) as they flow nicely on the page. See my blog post No batteries required for further details.

Social Media

In keeping my work life separate from my personal life, I use platforms such as Instagram and Facebook for friends and family with appropriate two factory and security settings in place. Even with those settings you still need to consider that once something is online, it could be public in the future.

Professional Life

Research

This is split into several areas and these are a few of the inputs that I use to grab information, feeds, data from:

  • Streaming Services
  • RSS Feeds
  • Podcasts
  • TED Talks
  • Web Searches
  • Blog Posts
  • Courses

This is a high level list of the types of content that I am consuming in my research and knowledge growth. It is important to have Growth Mindset by taking every opportunity to experiment, embrace failure, learn, change and seek challenges will enable yourself and business to realise potential and success. The term Growth Mindset comes from the study and theory of Dr Carol Dweck that intelligence can be developed. This can be applied to every person young and old to reach higher levels of achievement.

Streaming Services covers platforms such as YouTube. The availability of cameras and online streaming platforms, more content is being made available and recorded by people to pass on their knowledge.

RSS Feeds low my to pull updates from sites into Feedly where I can view them on my daily viewing of my feed.

Podcasts cover both Audio and Video casts that I watch/stream online or download to my Phone / Media Player (Audio and Videos) to listen to when I am on journeys in the car or other transportation methods or out walking the dog. I have spent a lot of time out walking as my family got a dog back in April 2022 and this has also improved my level of fitness as well as the ability to catch up on podcasts.

The amount of online learning available today is huge from free MOOC’s (Massive Open Online Courses) to paid for course such as Udemy. Lots of vendors now provide a good level of free training for their products and solutions. This category also covers courses that I can take through work.

Feedly

Feedly provides an aggregation tool which I use to collect the stories from blogs and web sites.  This provides a list of stories that can be scanned tin a few minutes on a single screen without going via multiple sites. Clicking on a story will bring up a snippet from the source site and provide the link to read the source article if required. Using a series of key strokes you can read the headlines, then move down the articles at a reasonable speed, stopping and opening when needed.

Sources can be categorised to allow an all view or just whats new in a category.

Thinking Time

Thinking Time covers the time that I spend absorbing the PKMS information coming in from the different sources and then also process and apply in different ways. It is also good to spend time reflecting on what I have learnt and think of different and new way to use the information and learnings.

Blogging and Being Social

Following my Thinking Time I gather my thoughts and research and write these down through my blogs and podcasts and publish these on Social Media, WordPress and GitHub.

My previous posts on my PKMS can be found below

Personal Knowledge Management System – Revised for 2020
A-Z of Digital – K is for Knowledge