Neil Postman wrote of technological adoration way back in the year 2000. Today, the worship is for a small high-tech device, yet another piece of techno-wizardry that promises to transform our lives.
The iPad is here. This $500-to-$800 device is the latest in a line of popular, high quality products from Apple, which has received 240,000 advance orders for the iPad. Part laptop, part smartphone, part book reader, the iPad is everyone’s darling at the moment.
I wonder. As I work on my literature review, especially the section on Web 2.0 technologies, I can’t help but wonder what Postman would think about today’s launch of the iPad.
I am studying the influence of Web 2.0 technologies on Millennial Generation students’ interpersonal communication skills and abilities. The Millennial students I teach are all around 20 years old. But the influence of technology seems to take hold at a very early age. I wrote about that in my last post after observing a circa-3-year-old girl play at texting while crossing a busy street.
I wonder if she (and my Millennial Generation students) will simply have to have an iPad?
But perhaps more important, I wonder if they ever simply have to carry on a conversation face to face? Are my Millennials moving toward a world of more high tech and less high touch with an inherent loss of interpersonal communication skill and ability? I hope to find out soon.
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April 5, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Kristen
I’ve been observing millennials all my life because I am one. Three months ago I decided to take a more a forthright approach to understanding my generation and the implications they’ll have on our future. It wasn’t until I became an entreprenuer three years ago that I felt comfortable with high touch, high tech communication styles. During my four years at large corporations, my baby-boommer parents taught me the same skills they used to establish credibility and fast-track their careers. Translation, respect authority, accept the frustrations of working your way up the ladder, dress for the position you want (not the one you’ve got), and so on.
While this worked, it was a bandaid solution. I didn’t feel heard because I was afraid to take a risk and was intimidated by my Gen X/BabyB leaders. And afterall, I can be just as productive in sweatpants so what am I doing in a suit that makes me feel ‘dull’ and ‘uninspired’?
Since having the opportunity to select clients, who are all ages, I’ve learned that it’s all about communicating upfront, understanding where a person is coming from and TRUST. Not when you were born. Ascertain those things and suddenly everyone has a voice – both virtually and across a table.
April 8, 2010 at 4:55 pm
tuliyan
Neil Postman critiqued technology in many of his books. That was a while ago. I wonder what he would have to say about the technologies we have today and how we depend so much on technologies?!
April 15, 2010 at 11:38 am
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