|
|
In the News -
October 2007
Breakthrough Solutions:
Newcomers, technology and prosperity
"A consistent pattern in our response to new technologies is we
simultaneously overestimate the short-term impact and underestimate the
long-term impact."
Roy Amara - "The First Law of Technology"
Although these days we talk about broadband, microchips and other kinds of
technologies, this pattern of underestimating the long-term impact of technology
is demonstrated in the following story about ancient Rome. It’s a story about
newcomers, technology, and prosperity.
Nearly all community Web sites and welcome signs invite individuals, families
and businesses to come and live in their communities. Do you welcome visitors
and newcomers? Does your community take advantage of the ideas, talents and
resources of new folks moving into your community?
Early in the history of the Roman Empire, Rome was just one of several
city-states in the area now known as Italy. Rome was actually one of the weaker
city-states, but attracted beggars, fleeing royalty, and everyone in between.
When these people came to the city-state of Rome, they brought with them their
ideas, experience, and technologies. The leaders and citizens of Rome were able to take advantage of these ideas and technologies, giving them
a competitive edge over their more prosperous neighbors.
One of those technologies was concrete. The Romans used a primitive concrete
mix of small gravel and coarse sand mixed together with hot lime and water. To
reduce shrinkage, they used horse hair, much like we use polypropylene fibers
today. When they first using concrete, who would have guessed that it would play
such a vital role in the development of the prosperous, powerful Roman empire?
Concrete enabled Rome to build:
- A road system which connected all parts of their city-state/empire.
This increased commerce, and provided all-weather access for Rome’s
military to move quickly to trouble spots. (The Romans' use of concrete
was extensive; they built some 5,300 miles of roads, compared to 4,200
miles of interstate highways in the United States).
- A system of aqueducts that brought water from mountain rivers into
Rome. The aqueducts provided Rome with running water (a breakthrough),
and enabled it to sustain a population over 1 million people.
Romans believed they were superior to other people in part because their
superior technology (concrete aqueducts and sewers) enabled them to be cleaner
than everyone else. Running water enabled them to bathe on a regular basis and
flush the sewage into underground sewers they constructed.
Lessons from this story:
- Openness to new ideas and new people can lead to breakthroughs in
your community, business, or region that give you a competitive
advantage in the world.
- Strategic investments in technologies and infrastructure can lay
the groundwork for your community or region to prosper in the future.
Having access to and using high speed Internet (broadband connectivity -
DSL, cable modems, fiber optics, satellite broadband, etc.) is the most
critical new infrastructure in the global, knowledge-based economy.
- Diversity of people and ideas is not an advantage if the people do
not connect or communicate with each other.
- Taking baths is not only good for health; it created a quality of
life and place that attracted people from far and wide.
Adapted from: "Rome: Engineering an Empire, History Channel,
August 26, 2006"
If you would like to know more about how your community can prosper from new
technology, contact your county extension agent or visit
www.uaex.edu and select Business and Communities, then VisionWorks
Breakthrough Solutions. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the U of A
Division of Agriculture.
November 30, 2007
By: Dr. Mark Peterson
Extension Professor-Community Development
(501) 671-2253
mpeterson@uaex.edu
Media Contact: Lamar James
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2187 or (501) 753-0207
ljames@uaex.edu
Related Links
Editors:
This is the fifth column in a series of bi-monthly columns titled Breakthrough Solutions that discuss how Arkansas communities, businesses, and regions can become successful in the global, knowledge-based economy. Dr. Mark Peterson coordinates the VisionWorks Breakthrough Solutions Program for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service in Little Rock.
|
