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.

I graduated on Friday from U Dub with a Masters of Communication in Digital Media (MCDM). I actually found myself mourning the potential loss of intellectual stimulation (translate as brain candy) that I will be missing from my regularly scheduled classes. Will I have the discipline to stay current? I’m also going to miss my weekly meetings with people I have come to think of as good friends.

Fortunately for me, my study was Digital Media. I have given myself the opportunity to stay on the cutting edge of brain candy at any time and I can stay in touch with my good friends…blow by blow.

My true advantage is that I chose to study what I love. I could no sooner leave this area of study than I could stop breathing. A revolution is occuring all around us and I intend to stay connected. We are watching the democratization of innovation and communication. Some might argue that communication has been democratized for some time. Perhaps so, but not like this. Governments, corporations, religions, and institutions of all kinds no longer have the control they once had. We have moved from a “read only” to a “read/write” culture.

Thanks to all who joined me in the past two years. I look forward to what the revolution has in store for us all.