web 2.0 tool evaluation - Ebay

Thoght I'd get a quick blog in prior to my flight. I'm currently in Los Angeles and blogging using my Blackberry (which is an interesting feat). Now that I know that the blackberry works, it makes it much easier to keep up with the blog activity.

Previously I had read that Ebay is considered a Web2.0 application (I believe that o'reilly is the source). I must say that I disagree. If you take the purpose of web2.0 is to eanble collaboration, ebay does not enable that. Ebay created a portal in which people can buy asn sell products. The general premise is that a person list the product and often a minimum price that they are willing to accept, and the bidding (auction) processes starts. After a certain time if the seller'terms are met, the item is sold. I don't view that as collaboration. Their is no exchange of viewpoints, perhaps if bidders could poste comments while the bidding process is going on and therby influencing the overall value of the item then perhaps. But as it stands, I don't think this passes the giggle test of.a Web2.0 app.

Failed Prediction

I like this failed prediction just do to the sheer size and scope of the statement:

“To place a man in a multi-stage rocket and project him into the controlling gravitational field of the moon where the passengers can make scientific observations, perhaps land alive, and then return to earth - all that constitutes a wild dream worthy of Jules Verne. I am bold enough to say that such a man-made voyage will never occur regardless of all future advances.” — Lee DeForest, American radio pioneer and inventor of the vacuum tube, in 1926

It only took 43 years to prove this false, when the US did it in 1969. But is this a failed prediction or is this a statement from a man outside of his field of expertise? Additional information can be found at: http://space.about.com/od/apollo11videos/Apollo_11_Videos_Videos_of_the_Apollo_11_Mission.htm

Successful Prediction??

Without starting a religious war -- My successful prediction is Dr. King "predicting" that "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." 45 years later we have the first viable black candidate for President.

To read the entire transcript of the speech go to: http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

To hear the audo of the speech go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbUtL_0vAJk

This brings up some interesting questions regarding predictions:

1. Is this a prediction or a political statement of hope (is there a difference)

2. What constitutes this prediction becoming true? If Obama wins the White House is it true, even though race discrimination still occurs?

3. Did he intend it for just this country or the entire world? (Because race and ethnic issues are very much alive)