Question

What is meant by the 'Age of Associations'?

Answer 1

As old media complains, some leaders of the information age are finally starting to realize that another drastic change has occurred, and it’s time to adapt…or prepare for the long, languishing walk into extinction.

Today is an open source era. Holding proprietary technology, data, information, etc. is counter-productive. Not allowing others to participate is pointless and a waste of capital. When all are allowed to participate, the resources of the globe are employed, and there is no stronger work force. The only way towards true progress is through collaboration, and this means allowing others to use what was previously viewed as proprietary. Open source is defined as “a set of principles and practices that promote access to the production and design process for various goods, products, resources and technical conclusions or advice.”

In layman’s terms, this means all the tools needed to be a fully engaged and contributing member of today’s digital society are available when and where needed for free. For those crying piracy or immediately worried about revenue streams, it is essential to remember the code of ethics within the open source environment dictates that sharing and collaboration–intellectual capital–creates value, not the selling of software. A lot of money has been made with open source software, through using the software, not selling it. (Note: Unbound Edition has been created entirely with open source software.)
 
Additionally, companies are becoming evermore transparent, and citizens evermore connected through social networks. Those that participate in this digital realm expect, not hope, to have the tools, information, data, entertainment, etc. they want available…and to be shared freely.