Last week I attended the Kentucky Library Association Annual Conference and was pleased that Stephen Arnold of Arnold IT was the Special Sections Featured Speaker. Mr. Arnold illuminated a roomful of Kentucky knowledge workers about Google and its role as the Digital Gutenberg.
Since that presentation last Friday, I’ve had some time to think and digest a comment that was made during the Q&A period. “I’m terrified, Google is like the Church of the Middle Ages controlling access.” Why is fear the reaction you get when it’s too late? At this point in the Google evolution, you need to figure out how it can be advantageous to you. Google is a powerful tool that must be added to our information arsenal and wielded with confidence.
Sure there are things I don’t like about the ease with which people can find information about me but I participate in the digital world too much to feel as though I have been done badly. The reality is that I must use this publishing mechanism or my voice will never be heard beyond a small circle of friends and family. And as much as those key supporters love me and want me to succeed they can not be my sole clients and I can’t expect them to feed my work.
That’s why the impact of Google on publishing content is so important to me. I can build my voice and become someone who is known as an expert in content and information management. Without this shift in the ability to share knowledge my expertise would be known only by a very small group and could they test it? I mean honestly, if you call me and ask for my knowledge on a subject, you should do so because you’ve done enough reading about me and of my writings to make the choice wisely. Otherwise, there’s someone else you can call on.
I suppose what I’m trying to get across is that Google has caused a mighty shift in the knowledge culture and it’s too late to be scared. Now is the time to understand what the power is and find the capabilities that allow you to thrive while using this new Digital Gutenberg.
Constance Ard October 5, 2009
