3rd
More wired than we imagined
I want to say up front that I am as attached to being attached to a network and the rest of the world as anyone. Thus, if you see me without my iPhone then I am in the act of looking for it.
Yesterday while at Six Flags in St. Louis I stumbled past a group of about 20 Asian kids ages 15-20. They were all lined up along a stoop resting their feet a bit from the back and forth between the “Mr. Freeze”, the Tony Hawke inspired (supposedly) “Big Spin” and the incredibly intimidating “Batman: The Ride”. As I strolled past I noticed that EVERY single one of them were heads-down, thumbs-flying, completely engaged into what was on the device in their hands. I do mean every single one of them.
It struck me as I myself strolled towards the Screaming Eagle that these cats really are more connected than what we ever imagined. These guys may rarely disconnect! I kept my eyes open for the rest of the day watching not only the young but also the old, making mental notes as to how they were using their devices. With most older having phone to ear and most younger with phone to thumbs there was a ton of interaction going on. Even Six Flags had their own apps in which I took advantage of.
As I remember reading about Holiday Inn’s plans to unveil a program where door keys will be replaced by some smartphone app I once again am reminded that this is just beginning… the technology revolution that is. As these young cats become more immersed in what they do with technology large and small and build upon what they are using… perfecting it… changing it… molding it… whatever “it” is… we will REALLY begin to see where technology will take us. We still have large segments of our population that have no clue how to connect but slowly they are being supplanted with those who do. This revolution is just beginning folks and its gonna be a wild ride… “Please buckle up for your safety”.
~ JDM
