Technofiles Beware

I don't know where I fall in the generational spectrum. Depending on the definition of generational identification I'm somewhere between a GenX-er and Millennial. Some element of my experience/personality clearly drop me into the GenX camp, others plop me square in with the millennials, but mostly I am a walking anomaly. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if later historians identify my contemporaries and I as an independent or transitional group outside of the currently conceived groupings.

This most recent inspiration for these feelings is a recent series of discussions both at work and in my personal life about the role of technology. Given my current age, it's often assumed that I will always push for the newest, fastest, shiniest tech available. Surprisingly to some, however, I lean toward the responsible use of technology, which means in many cases objecting to the investment of time, money, and energy in techno fads. This discerning approach to tech has been a source of frustration for some in the 'older' generations. Their assumptions are that I've grown up with advancing technology and therefore, should be a supporter of all things tech.

Truth - I have grown up in a world increasingly dominated by technology.

Truth - My contemporaries and I are used to learning new technology (hardware and software) by experimentation and exploration. (Basically, we click on sh*t until it works, to quote Matt Frankowski).

Truth - Those who have grown up with emerging technology as a way of life are adaptable and flexible with new technology.

Truth - The pendulum has begun to swing the other way.

Techno-lust and instant access to information has led to a surge of returning to a simpler time with clear answers. 24/7 news at our fingertips overwhelms (whether consciously or not) a persons ability to process, reflect and make decisions.

• Technology can help us organize our lives.
• Technology can help us communicate better, faster, and with more people.
• Technology can assist in the organization and distribution of information and resources.

But...

• Technology can eliminate the need for people to communicate with one another.
• Technology can teach us not to plan ahead, because we can fix, finish, and file our report, reservation, etc. at the last minute.
• Technology can create an unhealthy reliance on instant information causing a negative impact on 'fundamental skills' development. (Why learn to spell when spell-check or autocorrect will catch the error.)

I'm not saying technology is bad...that would be hypocritical coming from one who uses so much technology on a daily basis. It's not the silver bullet, however, and the thing that we love can still kill us. This is just the beginning and the role of technology in our lives is an issue which is not going away. While I was struggling with this reoccurring topic in my life, I've found several others who are addressing the very same concerns.

Mitch Joel, author of the blog Six Pixels of Seperation wrote a post about this very topic called The Other Side Of Our Digital Selves, which featured the TED video below. I don't push videos a lot, but this one got me thinking. I may not agree with everything that Professor Turkle says, but it's worth a view, you should check it out.