Day: October 23, 2008

Digital Natives

In general, I think that the distinction between those who grow up with technology and those who have discovered technology after first learning to relate to their world is other ways is not that important. For me, there is a great difference between skill and perspective. I accept the reality that younger folks have a different perspective than I – some specific uses of technology are all they have known. Sometimes those with a different perspective can take advantage of the awareness of change to understand things on a deeper level and to develop greater skill. The acceptance of “this is the way the world is” is far from equivalent to understanding why the world is this way.

My oldest granddaughter, a digital native, contacted me via interactive video this morning to let me know she had made a jack-o-lantern. In my head, the carving of a pumpkin seemed pretty risky for such a young child, but it turns out she has pasted pieces of colored paper on a plastic milk jug.

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Hard times and open source

Andrew Keen (Cult of the Amateur) predicts that the downturn in the economy will deal a blow to open source software and information. This position is similar to my concern expressed several days ago that the economy may lead to the termination of free online services that are attractive to educators. 

Mass unemployment and a deep economic recession comprise the most effective antidote to the utopian ideals of open-source radicals. (Keen)

As I have considered the present situation, I have generated several concerns not presented by Keen. Free resources will be less likely because:

  • companies may withdraw a commitment to “exploratory time” for employees – e.g., Google allows employees time (20% I think) to work on personally defined initiatives instead of requiring them to spend 100% of paid time on assigned projects. BTW – universities often offer a similar opportunity (e.g., 20% time for secondary activities that pay – clinical psychologists seeing clients). The original motive as I understand it was to offer creative people an opportunity to be creative within the company as a way to keep them from going off to form their own companies. The threat of individuals leaving is greatly reduced in times of constriction.
  • companies may withdraw web services and open source projects that do not directly generate revenue and only promote the company (e.g., Google services that do not display ads)
  • individuals stressed by competition will be reluctant to contribute their time for the “good of the group”.

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