As I get older, time seems to move faster ... but it's also true that as I get older, more is accomplished every minute.
Technology is a powerful force function. In fact, the amount of data in the digital universe effectively doubles every two years.
Every couple of years, I revisit a chart about how much data is generated every minute on the internet.
In reverse chronological order, here's 2018, 2015, and 2011.
Here's an excerpt from 2015 for some perspective:
Compared to 2008 here is what's happened with social networks:
- The number of people online has more than doubled from 1.4 billion to over 3 billion (2021 #: 5.2 billion)
- Facebook has gone from 80 million users to more than 1.4 billion (2021 #: 2.89 billion
- Twitter had 2 million accounts and now it is 300 million and counting. (2021 #: 206 million ACTIVE users after a big bot deletion)
- The number of smartphones was 250 million in 2008 and today there are more than 2 billion. That is an 800% increase! (2021 #: 6.37 billion)
Today this is what happens every minute on the web.
- 4 million search queries on Google
- Facebook users share 2.46 million pieces of content
- Email users send 204 million messages
Throughout its (pretty short) history, the internet has been arguably the most important battlefield for relevancy and innovation.
So, what does the internet look like in 2021?
DOMO via visualcapitalist
Looking at the list, we see new editions like Clubhouse and Strava. Partially due to the quarantine, you're still seeing an increase in digital cash transfers with tools like Venmo, an increase in e-commerce shops like Shopify, and an increase in (you guessed it) collaboration tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
Just to pick out some of the key figures in the chart this year.
- Amazon users spend $283,000
- 6M people shop online
- TikTok users watch 167M videos
- and, Zoom hosts 856 minutes of webinars.
Before 2020, I already thought that big tech had a massive influence on our lives. Yet, somehow this past year has pushed their impact even higher.
One other thing this chart also helps put into perspective is the rapid rate of adoption. As you look at different year's charts, you can see how quickly apps have become part of the cultural zeitgeist.
How do you think these numbers will grow or change in 2022?
How'd These 2021 Predictions Fair?
I write about the future of technology often.
But, sometimes, it's fun to see what others have to say as well.
Every year Visual Capitalist puts together a list of their predictions for the coming year. As we reach the final two weeks of 2021, I figure it's worth taking a look!
Here was their "bingo card" for 2021.
Honestly, that was a pretty good set of predictions. While some of this list didn't pan out, much of it did. We're seeing a growing exodus from major cities (where people lived to pursue opportunities previously available only in such places), movies are recovering, and hybrid work models are all the rage.
Could they have predicted how much of an issue COVID would pose throughout the year? Probably not.
As we near the end of 2021, there's a lot of uncertainty in the air.
Global markets have the jitters - and we don't see the increased volatility changing anytime soon.
What's going to happen as a result of the continuing pandemic, inflation, interest rates, the ongoing supply chain issues, and the growing anxiety and unrest brewing underneath the surface of the new normal? In January, we'll get to see VC's predictions. Before that, what do you expect to happen in 2022?
Posted at 06:36 PM in Business, Current Affairs, Gadgets, Ideas, Just for Fun, Market Commentary, Religion, Science, Trading, Trading Tools, Travel, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)
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