Quote: On Information, money and power

“The new source of power is not money in the hands of a few, but information in the hands of many.”  John Naisbitt  Information and those who control it are indeed powerful.  Today we are now surrounded by information streams coming at us, bombarding us with messages.  Many times it seems that our primary function is to determine which messages you listen to and where you get the information that guides your understanding and thinking on an issue.

 

Trusted sources of information are extremely valuable.  We are seeing that the average person in using social media is much more likely to believe and trust the messages that they get from their social networks than those that come from “official sources.” 

 

There is a new power that comes from information being in the hands and minds of many.  We must be careful that the information we consume is not just coming from sources with which we agree.  I believe it is important to hear dissenting voices and messages.  One hazard with the multiple sources of information is that you can tune into only one line of reasoning that can seriously skew your belief system. 

 

And, a counter view to the above is that the Super Packs that are funding the political campaigns of 2012 are a great example of “money in the hands of a few” welding undue power and influence over the many.