Kevin Kelly argued in a recent article that a few thousand years from now, the time that the web emerged, our time, will be seen as pivotal in the evolution of human society. Already, the web is profoundly transforming our world.

We are entering the 'web age'. This is much more than an information- or knowledge age. The web is a global system that mutates the way we live, work and think. While knowledge (human capital), like financial capital and labour, is a production factor, the web is a system. The web represents, like industry a few hundred years ago, a new way. That is why it would be better to talk about the web age.

I also imagine the future web as a global brain, uniting us all. We are free to participate. Those who do multiply their intelligence. It is like an intellectual turbo charger. There will be people with 'turbo' intelligence and others without, haves and the have-nots. For the haves, the global brain will serve as memory, as conceptual framework, as brainstormer and problem solver. Each participant is a like a 'neuron' in this giant brain.

We need a term for the required attitudes, habits and skills of those who work with this magnificent machine. I propose the word 'webitude'. Some use 'media literacy' to express what it takes to participate. However, media literacy is a skill not an attitude. Skill is not enough. Besides the ability to produce multimedia blogs and sites, we need creativity and an attitude of sharing, participation and collaboration seasoned with a profound sense of respect for diversity. Terms like 'web literacy' and 'webitude' refer to respectively the skills and the attitudes needed for an optimal use of the Global Brain.

When thinking about the web age, web literacy and webitudes, many questions come up. Personally, I tend to think of it as a fantastic opportunity to bring about a sustainable and peaceful global society and improve both our standard of living and quality of life. Some are more cautious, fearing the emergence of an underclass, the danger of a centrally controlled global brain, the loss of identity and an increasing fragmentation of society.

Perhaps one thing we can all agree about. That is the need to prepare and plan the transition. In other words, transforming our institutions to achieve a just, balanced and successful web age society is today´s most important challenge. That is why I suggest the creation of a Web Age Forum as a platform to develop and discuss ideas that help us prepare for progress and inspire leaders in politics, government, business and education.