As part of a special multimedia project, Ericsson (the telecom company) asked 20 thinkers to “share their view on the drivers of the future and how connectivity/broadband is changing the world.” What will life be like in 2020? How will the world evolve? What habits and needs will people have? What kinds of technologies will they use to make life easier? New talks are being added to the collection each week (find them all here), and above, we’re featuring one such talk by Don Tapscott, the author of Wikinomics and Grown Up Digital. He sees the next generation of leaders changing the world, and for the better. They have grown up on the web. They think differently because their brains are wired differently. They’re smarter. And they’re ready to initiate sweeping changes in the way we do things. It’s a rather hopeful talk (a rarity these days). If you’re having problems watching the Tapscott video, you can also watch it here.
Life in 2020
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Gosh I heard this about my generation when the internet came into being and Clinton was just getting cranking. And some of this was complete fluff. You can’t not consider 60’s protesters or the civil rights movements as not volunteer efforts. Or all those kids who signed up to fight WW2. And while the internet has changed us and how we live it has helped increase obesity! And lastly since 1995 very few world class companies have been spawned on the net..in fact less than 10 out of the US. As for Netroots I am seeing as much spreading of lies and hate via the web and social media than anything I could sadly ever imagine. That being said I am optimistic because I am an optimist and I hope this current Gen of 30 to 50 years leaves the next Gen something better than what the boomers have left me.
Tapscott is sadly incorrect in many of his pronouncements. We (USA) are not excelling academically, and there is ample data to support it, unlike his pronouncement. SAT scores? They’re still with us because there’s a billion dollar industry dependent on their continuation. It’s definitely not because they come anywhere near representing a true measure of knowledge or an equitable application from a perspective of diversity. Young people are not smarter, they simply have different information. Colleges full? There’s not exactly an abundance of opportunity right now. California has a real unemployment rate of more than 20%.
Describing change by using empty platitudes is irresponsible. Real change is fluid and continuous and not hastened by the effort of any one class of individuals or systems. This is nothing more than a commercial for Tapscott’s books.