White Paper Abstract:
This document discusses that technology advancements constantly drive down the cost and time in moving “stuff” around the world, whether it’s physical, moved by container ship and airplane, or information digitized and sent over communication networks. Communication technology has experienced especially rapid changes over a short period. Fewer than 20 years ago, e-mail was relegated to a select few business users, scientists, and students, with everyone else sending letters and making phone calls. Fast forward to 2010: Anyone can broadcast status updates to their entire circle of friends and acquaintances, even those hiking the Appalachian trail, with a few keystrokes and mouse clicks. This has had a world-shrinking effect; the end of the world doesn’t seem so far away if you can get there quickly, or check it out on Google street view.