Meet the digitally
disenfranchised. In fact if you’re over 13 a meeting is as simple as looking
your mirror. Oh hush! Quell your protests, another distinctive trait of this
group is that they always deny. The reason being, that being behind in
technology is strictly taboo. The world demands one be quick with the latest
technology, and if you’re not, well, you haven’t evolved. Let your colleagues
catch wind, and they will no sooner put you on a raft and push you out to sea,
to die a professional death alone.
In this competitive
market it is hard to admit ones technological shortcomings, yet it is
inevitable that we all have them to some degree. You may be wondering why I
picked out an age as young as 12? The reason is because those kids of the
millennium aren’t like us, not really. They grew up in a world surrounded by
digital innovation, their toy, an i-Phone, their consolation, a game console.
Yes I understand, you
think you know technology because you can swiftly use Facebook and Twitter,
have a firm grasp of Instagram, an interest in Pinterest and had a
blog…somewhere… once. What you fail to realize is that whilst joining Facebook
was a decision for you, for them it was an established right of passage.
Whilst we seek to keep
on top of the latest social media trend, for them it is second nature. They are
like fishes gliding through the changes, adapting and taking their ability for
granted, whilst we are like divers, who brought a suit. Yes we can swim, but
not without effort.
If we are to be honest,
we know it is true. Just one look at your 3-year-old nephew, tapping away at an
i-pad, and you know that his generation is of a different kind. Admittedly
there are a few among us who have truly grasped technology like second nature,
but these, dear friends, are mutants - of which most of us are not.
So, you may wonder why
I insisted on doing that - verbally grabbing hold of you and forcing you to
admit the facts you have denied for so long. The reason is I wish to help
you. Acknowledgement is the first step.
The second is to seek help.
Whilst you may never
catch on as quickly as those enviable millennium freaks, you can admit your shortcomings
in the form of seeking wisdom. Its high
time you admitted that you don’t know how to use all the features on your new flashy i-Phone, or how to properly use
a mac.
The treatment? Seek out
the new social sites, software and technology, and make yourself familiar using
YouTube videos. Apple offers tutorials with their products in store. I know it
is in public, but be brave and go!
Trend wise, it pays to
be ahead, instead of lurking behind in silence, like some scruffy kid, who woke
up half way through class, and is afraid to admit that he has no idea what’s
going on. Queue Twitter where you can
follow people who were awake and took notes (if you don’t know how to use
Twitter, enlist the help of your 3 year old nephew).
Fellow brethren of the
1900’s, I say this because I care. Whilst
we may never be a fish, it’s about time all of us admitted the value of
swimming and took it seriously. There is no point wearing the costume, if when
the tide comes in you can’t float. Buying the latest technology doesn’t matter
if you cant utilize it. So do your self a favor- do better. Learn, get faster
and fiercer, for those millennium kids wont be 12 forever… and that raft is itching
for company.
