Review on Seth Godin and Clay Shirky from TED.com

   The two videos were definitely similar by touching on how technology is making history by streamlining the process in which we share information and bring people together. Seth Godin was describing how different "tribes" use the Internet to make it possible for someone to join a group and connect with others. This happens when, say, someone who lives in the U.S. makes a social connection with people in Italy and Russia who share the same interests. What Seth points at in this is that only through the Internet is this even a possibility. Clay Shirky had similar views, focusing on the idea that these jumps in the evolution of technology have lead to the point where the world is brought together in a way never seen before. With the use of instant video streaming, the citizens of China could override the Chinese government and release a raw and unfiltered view of the damage done to them following the earthquake. What is really interesting is that both speakers suggested that the increasing speed at which we communicate is amazing and has completely transformed today's social network.
   The difference between the videos was Godin had heavy focus on people in terms of interest groups and how social life has broken through for connecting people who seem to search for others like them while Clay took a broader look at how anyone with a camera and a computer could make history by uploading very recent or current events of breaking news. Godin takes this idea of a "tribe" to a new level by completely dissolving the boudaries of physical placement when it comes to people of similar interest connecting. Since physical placement used to be almost essential for any group to function, now people can share with one another from anywhere, at anytime, instantly. Clay shows how the control that was once present over people on the filtration of information is now incredibly permeable. Since the government cant control people from getting information out, who says that this cant happen in many other instances? Maybe evidence used against people could change. Now once you post a video file online , anyone could have a copy and if there were attempts to cover up the evidence it would be nearly impossible because others could copy and duplicate once the file is shared (this assumes that the video is being saved and shared to others computers, I don't know these things work). This also means that much consideration will need to be taken with the ways the world traditonally works with sharing digital info. If not careful, people could make quite a mess as far as control, communication, and even privacy as concerned.