A View for Digital Natives (and others) about our Future in the Information Age

I originally saw this commencement address in print. Even though it was offered on the author’s Web site, I have to admit, my first thought was that it was a joke. Could it be true that they really have High Schools in the Eastern United States named things like Shady Side? As it turns out, yes. I mean no offense to the alumni, students, or staff of this school. I’m sure it is a fine institution, particularly if it produced the likes of the esteemed Jonathan Zittrain. I have read Professor Zittrain’s most recent book. I have also seen him speak a few times. If he is ever giving a lecture in your area, go. I guarantee you will be entertained.

In any event, once I got beyond my bias, I had a chance to watch the speech in its entirety on YouTube. I recommend you take the time to watch this twenty minute address. It is an intriguing view of where we find ourselves at this point in our journey through the digital ecosystem and where a worthy scholar on the topic thinks we are heading.