The internet sprung from the military in the 70s. Acronyms, code words and their own language have made it into corporate culture and it follows that buzzwords are part of the internet culture. Web 2.0, the Cloud, Social Shaping, etc. My common joke with friends is about the up and coming Web 5.0–which is face-to-face communication. Can’t beat it! more on Buzzwords…
About BizCulture
My name is Stephen Bouikidis. I am Executive Vice President at NetReach Technologies (www.netreach.com). This blog is an exploration into ways of creating new forms of thinking, doing and being in the world…with a focus on the culture of work. Please comment and send along ideas to make this a rich experience for every visitor.
BizCulture_Stephen said,
December 17, 2008 at 11:29 am
So, more on buzzwords. One of my favorite quotes is from The Simpsons animated TV show, “Proactive, Paradigm, aren’t those just buzzwords that dumb people use to sound important?” Well…aren’t they? My beef against buzzwords is that they are used to imply meaning that everyone around understands or should understand.They have implied meaning and there are many assumptions around that meaning.
In my opinion, they are just the latest line in a play called corporate culture. You see these words come up in meetings, lunchtime conversations and in friendly social gatherings. They have their place and I find that they also get in the way of really understanding what someone is trying to say–or that they are really saying nothing…and trying to sound important…
By the way, the Simpson’s quote is from a writer on the “Itchy & Scratchy Show” who is questioning one of the producers. The writer continues…”I’m fired aren’t I?” To which the producer says, “Oh Yea.”
What do you think? Please post your favorite buzzwords!
jbullock1 said,
December 17, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Yes I so much appreciate what you are saying here especially pointing out our assumptions about collective understanding of some words, this assumed universality without inquiry can keep us separate from one another which of course is no good in my opinion.
I think that it is important though to not be offended, put-out or irritated by people who are trying to sound smart, as “they’ are just trying to get by the best way/we know how why on this trip called life, in a culture that still over-emphasizes knowing/looking good individually and not enough of living without knowing first and creating collectively/relationally.
Holly said,
December 18, 2008 at 7:30 am
Web 4.0 is so much more user friendly!