Grown Up Digital

The Net Generation has taken the world by storm and after beginning "Grown Up Digital" it is evident that the rest of us should get on board!

The Net Generation has given most of us ( Gen X and Babyboomers) that they are lazy, lack drive and basic work ethic. Perhaps since this was some of the feeling regarding the "Y" generation that we just assumed it has carried over. However, we need to stand and take notice of this generation.

"Grown Up Digital" has graciously offered us some education on the journey of each generation by mapping out a normal day. Early on you get the sense that, yes indeed, each generation has new experiences as technology and society evolve. But we are in a completely different, and exciting time. Since this generation is "growing up digital" we find ourselves dealing with much more that teenage or adolescent issues. We find a brilliant generation that we are dependent upon to show us the way.

As a parent of two girls, 5 and 9, I find myself frustrated that it is so different that when I grew up. At 38, I still remember being very active and not wanting to sit around. On our recent trip to Hawaii my nine year old had to have a screen on every time she had a spare moment. Certainly we built sand castles and did the usual beach activities but a computer or screen certainly was the preference. Taking a DS to the beach made me crazy. This prompted a "family meeting" a few nights ago to discuss screen time. As parents we thought we were doing the appropriate thing. Now, we made need to rethink this avenue. As the book points out my children are of a generation in which this IS their play and more importantly, they can handle it. They can multitask, be creative and be socialized all at the same time. If we do not support this, within a monitored environment of course, we may be stunting their "technology growth".

In addition to the home front, the work force is going to have to adjust to this generation and companies need to position themselves to appeal to, and retain, this generation of workers. This will require reinvention. Reinvention of the work space, making it virtual and to not be afraid to have a worker off site. There is a perception that if you are not in the office you are not working. This generation blows that statement out of the water and proves to the rest of us that there may indeed be more productivity from a virtual office. A day without discussion at the water cooler or office gossip has been traded in for skpe conference calls and IM team interaction. Companies will also need to reinvent their mission, vision and values. A global consciousness is mandatory for this generation and to be part of an organization with purpose will be the organization with the most appeal. This reinvention will indeed be multifaceted and a constant evolution.

I look forward to reading on to pull on of this together. In the mean time I need to add two items to my personal "to do" list. One, call another family meeting and two, find a virtual assistant as was mentioned in the book to organize my day. I better write that down.

A Better Pencil

I have found this book to be a great read with some fantastic issues of debate.
One is the issue that we tend not to "trust" the next technology or way of doing something. We are skeptical and need to be shown proof that something is, indeed, worthy of consideration. But lack of trust initially prevails and just when we are ready to get excited, some things, prove our lack of trust is a legitimate concern.
Take for example the Oprah Book Club pick in which the author stated his work was a Biography. A heart wrentching story, one to support Oprah's inate nack for the intensity of reality, only to find out that he has misrepresented his work and indeed this was a work of fiction. This is of course after millions of copies, with the giant "O" sticker, have sold and now everyone in the worls feels betrayed. This takes us back to the beginning of this class when Homer was questioned of his authenticity and legitamacy as a poet. Trust, it's a tough thing to engage in without some level of reservation.
As I was thinking of this I was on my way to a meeting to support the treatment of pediatric patients from a hospital outside of the area. During our dinner meeting I was told that the specialists involoved may not be able to come onsite however, we could creat a telemedicine link that would allow the physician to treat the patient through a polycam. But this cannot possibly take the place of a phyisician present in the room. In this situation it has indeed proven to be a fantastic way, for some levels of care, to support the patient without requiring them to leave thier home.
To trust or not to trust?
Trust, can we afford to trust much of anything?