Are you among the “HyperConnected”? (Do you even want to be?)

[nerdgirl 0]

A couple weeks ago Nortel made available a report they commisioned by the independent analysis/marketing firm, IDC, titled “The Hyperconnected: Here They Come!: A Global Look at the Exploding ‘Culture of Connectivity’ and Its Impact on the Enterprise,” which explores trends in information sharing and connectivity in people’s daily lives. (PM w/an email if you would like a copy of the 1.5 MB report w/out giving Nortel your real or spam-proof info.)

IDC surveyed 2,400 working adults from various industries across 17 countries (North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East and Russia but none from Africa) and found that 16% are already “HyperConnected.”

Using cluster analysis, IDC identified 4 catgories or profiles of technology users:

16 % were found to be the HyperConnected, i.e., “a person who uses a minimum of 7 devices for work and 9 connectivity applications. The lines between business and personal use is blurred.”

The Increasingly Connected use 4 devices and 6 applications, “they tend to use applications such as blogs and wikis but are less apt to be social networking.”

The Passive Online “use fewer devices but are experimenting with application such as IM.”

The Barebones Users “use email, desktop access to the Web.”

Some characteristics of the “Hyperconnected”:
-- The boundary between work and personal connectivity for the hyperconnected is almost nonexistent. Two-thirds use text or instant messaging for both work and personal use. More than a third use social networking for both.
-- The country with the highest percentage of hyperconnected respondents was China.
-- They can be any age, although 60% are under 35, only 7% over 55

IDC’s conclusion: “It won’t be possible to ignore this new level of connectivity. Businesses can either embrace it and manage it carefully or, stand-by as it enters their enterprise, in a confusion of disconnected deployments that squander the productivity and competitive advantage Hyperconnectivity could otherwise bring.”


Some of my observations:

There’s an underlying implicit assumption in the study that more connected is better. And some of the depicted benefits are powerful. In consideration of the funder and distributor, this is not unreasonable. Doesn’t necessarily make the data suspect; it may (or may not) reflect the conclusions … notably those that are used as part of marketing or advertising.

All information exchanged via connectivity is not created equal. The electrons it takes for 4 million people a day to say “I just landed and is driving on the runway” [even when the plane is on the tarmac] and 15 million teenagers talking about the latest viral video on youtube is not equivalent to the contents of the Library of Congress. The study treats all information as equal. It does not address the relative increase in noise to signal.

The blending of personal/private and work/public: Hyperconnected individuals do it more. Is there value in not always being in contact with work?

The study portrays the shift not in the impact on employees lives but on the (sometimes) legitimate concern of employees using work resources for personal/private activities (like whatever % of us are reading this while at ‘work’ ).

Most intellectually provocative notion (imo) mentioned very briefly was the potential consequences (generally portrayed as negative) of a loss of connectivity among the most connected. More than just the unproductiveness many/most of us are familiar with when the ‘server’/system goes down (whether at work … or while trying to do business, e.g., at an airport). But as connectivity becomes a more implicit part of society what are the ramifications, particularly on social-support connections if all connectivity is loss or on critical exchanges (e.g., if one no longer has a check book and can’t e-transfer $ to pay for electricity in winter in South Dakota).

In downtown Atlanta (technically midtown for pedantic locals), at least one of the condos features a “hyperconnected” system in which when the owner-occupant drive into the parking garage, your condo ‘knows’ you’re arriving and will adjust lights, music, turn off security, whatever. As you walk through the lobby and are in the elevator, the building switches the art of the wall and the music to reflect your preferences. Now the technophile in me thought this was pretty cool. Otoh, it’s a little creepy too … almost Ray Bradbury “The Veldt”-ish. When you push to that connectivity level, what are the consequences when connectivity fails? (Albeit, that kind of question is either at the far margins or outside what would reasonably be expected for Nortel to pursue.)

Your thoughts?

VR/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[masterblaster72 0]

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The blending of personal/private and work/public: Hyperconnected individuals do it more. Is there value in not always being in contact with work?

Absolutely. IMO, I think it's important to keep work separate from personal so as to not let work take over my life. Before the '90s, we weren't expected to have a device in-hand that draws us into some work-related crisis on a Saturday or Sunday. Those expectations have changed now, and I don't think it's necessarily a good thing. "Going digital" was supposed to increase our productivity and make things easier, but for a lot of us it's only increased the workload.

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In downtown Atlanta (technically midtown for pedantic locals), at least one of the condos features a “hyperconnected” system in which when the owner-occupant drive into the parking garage, your condo ‘knows’ you’re arriving and will adjust lights, music, turn off security, whatever. As you walk through the lobby and are in the elevator, the building switches the art of the wall and the music to reflect your preferences. Now the technophile in me thought this was pretty cool. Otoh, it’s a little creepy too … almost Ray Bradbury “The Veldt”-ish. When you push to that connectivity level, what are the consequences when connectivity fails? (Albeit, that kind of question is either at the far margins or outside what would reasonably be expected for Nortel to pursue.)

Your thoughts?

I think that's creepy too. I don't want my every move in a building recorded by some computer because I highly value my privacy. It makes me ask the question (some people might think it's kooky) -- what's the next step? A chip in our hands that has a satellite tracking our every move? Sounds crazy now, but with a packaging of "convenience" and "safety," this might actually be an acceptable thing in 10-20 years...

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

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[wmw999 2,589]

I'm trying in some ways to reduce my connectivity. I do have 5 devices (land line, cell phone, beeper, home computer, work computer), but my use of them is not particularly creative.

There's a paradigm shift in the meaning of community with all these devices. The events that people from different places have when they come into a new town and meet in person for the first time people they've considered friends for awhile are interesting.

But in going back to the power of meditation and living in the present, one wonders if all this constant access to things that aren't around robs one of this enjoyment of what's around. It seems to take more and more stimulation for people to consider themselves not to be bored.

This isn't going to change, but I think it's wise for people to consider the implications. If we lose the ability to enjoy simple things, we might be less equipped for tougher times, and we might be less self-reliant. Or I could be wrong. It happens a lot.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[lawrocket 3]

I'm posting this from my Blackberry, if that shows anything

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[BikerBabe 0]

i chose "passive" though i'm online most of the time. Home computer, cell phone. on the PC i use IM, the web, and online gaming.

I will NEVER give any employer my personal cell number. If they want to provide a phone for me, that's fine. When i traveled a lot, i refused to work on planes, in the car, or at home. We lasted for however many decades keeping work at work and not bringing it home (with some exceptions). We still can.

I don't have a blackberry, don't use facebook or myspace (*barf*) and i don't plan on it, either. I don't need the hassle in my life. I get overwhelmed just trying to decide which task to do first when cleaning my house. if i had a job calling me, paging, texting, whatever, i'd go bonkers.

This is one of the reasons i'm increasingly hesitant to rejoin the "corporate" american workforce. I don't WANT to be hyperconnected.

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[peek 21]

"...report commissioned by the independent analysis/marketing firm..." Sounds to me like they created a report to come up with a new cool term "hyperconnected". (Can I interest anyone in a Web 2.0 compliant web site?) And 4 categories is way too few.

[ryoder 1,590]

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I think that's creepy too. I don't want my every move in a building recorded by some computer because I highly value my privacy.

But what could go wrong?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Machine_%28The_X-Files%29

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[lawrocket 3]

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As you walk through the lobby and are in the elevator, the building switches the art of the wall and the music to reflect your preferences.

Not on my blackberry anymore.

I don't really think that is TOO creepy. In fact, I think it'd be cool to have entrance music.

So I pull my car in. As I approach the lobby, the colors go silver and black, and the Battle Hymn of the Raider Nation starts playing over the speakers.

That'd be awesome having John Facenda announcing my presence. "Pillaging just for fun."

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[nigel99 619]

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I'm trying in some ways to reduce my connectivity.

I have had a blackberry and found myself checking and responding to e-mails while driving. I used to believe that connected equated to good, however I find that it drastically decreases my productivity.

I have now shifted focus and no longer have the blackberry and my next business cards will not have my mobile number on them either.

A friend has no mobile and no personal e-mail but gives out the reception e-mail address - his stress level is much lower than most peoples.

Experienced jumper - someone who has made mistakes more often than I have and lived.

[billvon 3,120]

Then there's Uber-Connected, and of course the top level of connectivity - ExXXXTreEEEme Connectivity.

For a fun look at the future of this, check out the book Accelerando.

[shropshire 0]

I'm soo connected....

The Silicon chip inside my head gets switched to overload

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[mnealtx 0]

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I'm soo connected....

The Silicon chip inside my head gets switched to overload

I bet you don't like Mondays...makes you want to shoot the whooooooole day down?

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[shropshire 0]

Hate mondays but no shooting here, we're British

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[mnealtx 0]

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Hate mondays but no shooting here, we're British

I guess you could just stab it a few times...

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Steel 0]

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I'm posting this from my Blackberry, if that shows anything

I could never pull up foums from my blackberry. Anyway I hate the freakin thing with a passion.

I hate it mostly when a work related email comes in after business hours. But when a work email comes in in the weekend or holidays, I struggle to fight back the urge of accidently dropping it in front of my truck tire and running over it 5 or 6 times.

If I could make a wish, I think I'd pass.
Can't think of anything I need
No cigarettes, no sleep, no light, no sound.
Nothing to eat, no books to read.

[shropshire 0]

We may be allowed to shout at it... so longs as we didn't upset it's neighbours

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[mnealtx 0]

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

I'm very much connected, but I choose to be and I can ignore it at will. My job is one where the more connected I am, the more successful I can be. I am paid to network and talk to people so I can have access to quality IT talent instantly. At the moment I have a social network that extends beyond 20 million by the time you hit the third degree of separation. The only way I can beat the competition is by reacting faster. Then once connected I need to be in a spot where people can quickly reach me to help establish trust and understanding. This doesn't mean a 90 hour work week, but it could equate to 2 business calls on a Memorial Day Monday. Sometimes having access to my email and database via phone means I can avoid making those calls at all.

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[Nightingale 0]

Hmm...

Devices:
Blackberry
Work phone
Home Phone
iBook
iMac
Stupid PC work desktop
(I vetoed the work pager and told them to just email my blackberry)

Applications
Work Groupwise email
Home applemail
gmail
AIM
Livejournal
Myspace
Facebook


However, I'm not really "hyper-connected" because Work knows that if they use any of those devices to reach me at off hours, it had better be a real emergency. I value my personal time and work so I can have a life. Work is not my life.

[DrewEckhardt 0]

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The blending of personal/private and work/public: Hyperconnected individuals do it more. Is there value in not always being in contact with work?

Absolutely. IMO, I think it's important to keep work separate from personal so as to not let work take over my life. Before the '90s, we weren't expected to have a device in-hand that draws us into some work-related crisis on a Saturday or Sunday.

We currently have a gross disparity between wages in America and the developing world, notably China, Eastern Europe, and India although there are plenty of smart and educated people living in the countries.

Unfortunately those countries are all halfway around the world in different time zones.

Until we have wage normalization (it's coming; they're making more and their property values are going up) we're going to have to work with those guys. IM meetings from home after dinner definitely beat being stuck in the office.

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[BIGUN 1,488]

I am aggressive regressive-connected. Was in a position of _having_ to be hyper-connected to throttling back to just send me an email if you're attaching work-related documents or information that does not need my attention until evening or the next day. If you need something sooner, pick up the phone, call me and let's discuss it.

I found myself being so connected that work-product wasn't getting done during work hours and I wound up spending my evenings and part of my weekends generating work. Trying to create a culture in our organization of managing the business, rather than managing emails.

Nobody has time to listen; because they're desperately chasing the need of being heard.

[jcd11235 0]

Wow. According to that white paper, I'm "Passive Online." Ironically, at a time when I was less connected, I was in the "Increasingly Connected" Category.

One major flaw in their logic is that as the number of devices increases, connectivity increases. I have found this to be true with my LAN use, but have found the opposite to be true for my internet use. At times, it would require at least six desktop computers to replace my laptop. Additionally, by using a single laptop, I have easy access to all my local files simultaneously, not just when I am at the physical computer associated with that particular application or location. Thus, a single laptop allows me to do more, at different times and places.

My mobile phone is primarily for those who haven't yet joined us in the 21st century (e.g. nearly all of my family). If I'm doing business, I prefer email, in order to maintain a written record. For personal communications, I tend to prefer VOIP over mobile phones or landlines. I see the mobile phone as detrimental to my connectivity, not beneficial. It's legacy equipment, like a fax machine or an eight track player.

I was surprised to see the implied importance of wireless networks. They are generally low-end entry level networks. While wireless can be convenient for low bandwidth communications such as internet access, where a blazing fast connection is still painfully slow by network standards, those who are truly "hyperconnected" have access to gigabit ethernet (or faster) networks, and regularly utilize the high bandwidth capabilities. Comparing a wireless network to a gigabit ethernet network is like comparing dial-up internet service to broadband. The former is more accessible, but it's usefulness is bandwidth limited.

Overall, I got the impression that the white paper's authors don't have a particularly good understanding of technology or network communications (LAN, WAN, or anything in between).

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[jimmytavino 16]

i'd say that i am "hardlyConnected"...because that is what I WANT.....

cell phone... desktop computer, email. web...

that's about it.

No blackberry
No IM
no wireless internet

Still use a land line phone with answering machine...for most business related needs...
Clients, prospects, and even new folks inquiring
about our services, can EASILY connect with me..... without MY having to even speak with them...
I DO respond and return calls, responsibly, and promptly, at which point I connect with them.... and at my covenience.....

pretty primitive in terms of technology, i suppose... but it works for me...and I am never at anyone's beck and call...
i use my cell phone mostly for outgoing calls, and seldom give the number to people....
(Only certain special friends) ..
if i am to be interrupted while at work... i want it to be someone with whom, i'd be Happy to speak.....
all others may leave a message on my land line...



jmy

[kelpdiver 2]

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pretty primitive in terms of technology, i suppose... but it works for me...and I am never at anyone's beck and call...

You rarely have to be at anyone's beck and call unless you choose to be.

I've not given out my home phone to people in 5 years, yet my cell is still for my convenience, not their's.