The Next European Renaissance (Part 4)

Remember, we started this discussion with the premise that the next renaissance will be at the confluence of technology and the arts. By “technology,” I am referring primarily to information technology and computing.

As for other technologies, there are significant expertise and major industries such as automotive and aeronautics in Europe. German brands like Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Audi are market leaders. Airbus is a massive aircraft maker that leads the market alongside Boeing in America. The industrial machinery industry is also strong in both Germany and Italy.

But I am thinking primarily about the potential of IT and computing to set in motion a new renaissance, and even more specifically, the Internet and mobile computing technologies. >>>

The Next European Renaissance (Part 3)

Today, Europe is in trouble economically. Chronic debt crises, stagnating GDPs, staggering unemployment – all point to a bleak future. The future belongs to the Chinese, the Indians, and the Latin Americans.

But does it, really? Isn’t there an innate intelligence and resilience in the European way of life? >>>

The Next European Renaissance (Part 2)

In Avignon, as we visited the magnificent Palais des Papes where Pope Clement V moved the seat of the papacy from Rome in 1309, we saw posters for the annual arts festival everywhere. What a celebration of the performing arts it is! >>>

The Next European Renaissance (Part 1)

Some of you may have read my recent piece Silicon Valley: The Next Decade in which I discuss the evolution of Silicon Valley toward a place that has a spirit that is more in tune with the liberal, performing, and visual arts, a sharper focus on human-centric computing, and a vision for a new renaissance that fuses ideas from information technology with those from the arts. The piece has triggered many interesting discussions, both online and offline, the latest of which happened in France over a lovely lunch at a small village called La Garde-Adhémar in Drôme during our recent trip to Provence.

>>>

Silicon Valley: The Next Decade (Part 1)

Amidst incessant talks of bubbles and baubles, it is clear that Silicon Valley is back. With a vengeance, no less.

Innovation is back. Leadership is back. IPOs are back. The technology industry has shaken off the post-dotcom malaise and is once again exciting.

Now is perhaps a good time to stop for a moment and reflect on what this coming decade will be all about for the Valley and its denizens. >>>

Top 10 Online Advertising Trends Of The Decade

Following up on the Top 10 Tech Trends Of The Decade and drilling down on trend item five, in this post we’re going to look at the evolution of online advertising and what we might expect to see in the coming decade. At present, the online advertising industry is at $55 billion, and mobile advertising is at $2 billion. With the rise of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, mobile advertising will gain momentum. Let’s take a closer look. >>>

Top 10 Vertical And Local Web Trends For The Decade

I have long been a fan of the verticalization trend on the Web. It led me to define one of the most referenced frameworks for Web 3.0.

It has become increasingly possible to reach people in faraway places using the Web. And it has also become possible to hyper-target, and access and offer highly localized, specialized, and verticalized services. Both trends will continue, but to make money, the verticalization and localization trends look more promising to me, although cases like Facebook and Groupon speak to the contrary. Let’s put it this way: there will be a few large, global players. But there will be millions of smaller, niche, localized and/or verticalized businesses that will continue to open up entrepreneurial opportunities around the world. The latter is directly in line with our One Million by One Million work, and a trend that powers our mission for the next decade. Also relevant is my Web 3.0 = (4C + P + VS) formula. In particular, niche e-commerce is a vibrant trend that will continue to grow. Sub-trends like group-buying and daily deals will be layered on top of any niche to create more traction. Let’s take a look at the top 10 trends driving the vertical and local Web. >>>

Forbes Column 08: Deconstructing The Cloud

My new column Deconstructing The Cloud attempts to demystify the various nuances of cloud computing and offer you a framework, yet again. >>>