Thursday, February 3, 2011

State of Connected World: Amazon VS Barnes and Noble

Amazon’s app ReadingList on LinkedIn.com won’t sync with Amazon’s Listwish, somewhat disappointing. Isn’t technology, collaboration, and cloud computing Amazon’s forte? It would be great if Amazon can release sync-able ReadingList for other social sites and particularly Facebook. It will be easier for the user to maintain single BookList as well as a business opportunity for Amazon.

It’s far bigger revenue opportunity for Barnes & Noble to fill the gap, being they are late in the game. This trivial utility could have a sizable impact.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Belief System and Value

Except life, nothing in this world has any value in its entirety. Context and human’s believe adds value to elements and existences. In most cases, value of any given item or matter completely depends on the belief system. Change the belief system and value will change automatically.

Pointing to something with an index finger in Southeast Asian culture means completely different from Western. This act certainly sparks very distinctive reactions in Southeast Asia, driven by the strong belief! Throwing a shoe is another one, and there so many more.

Approximately 3300 BC, people in Egypt used to bury dead bodies along with cutlery and other household items. Because their beliefs, they thought, these things will be needed in hereafter life. Today, regardless of any religion you believe in, most of us don’t think we need household items in hereafter life. Fast forward 3000 years from now, what of today’s believe will be considered as questionable as putting household item with a dead body?

Crosscheck your belief system with other cultures, religions, humans, time and space; and adjust them frequently. It takes a lot of courage to challenge and change our belief system, but it’s well worth it!