WS798: Human evolution has gone digital. What's next?

In his latest book and YouTube video, Mark Bauerlein claims that the current generation of young Americans is the "dumbest generation". Are we the dumbest generation? Or are we just doing what people have been doing for years? I will have to disagree with Bauerlein and say that we are trying to survive in this new world of technology, and we need to learn and keep up with the hype in order to survive. It's the latest form of human evolution and, evidently, survival of the fittest.

There is no doubt that people who are equipped with computer skills entering the competitive job market are going to get hired over people who have yet to face a computer screen. Questions related to computer knowledge are showing up on an increasing number of job applications and sought out on resumes. Some jobs even require specific computer skills that a person must have to be hired or that they be extensively trained on as soon as they are hired. This may mean that the concept of “intelligence” is also changing. While reading classical novels may have been an indication of intelligence in the past, people are now more impressed with skills such as creating websites, maintaining online databases, using basic word processing or record keeping software, and handling new forms of communication. All of this is a result of a new culture forming—cyberculture—and fusing with existing American culture to become the norm for younger generations.

Then people may ask: Will digital communication be the only communication? New generations are becoming addicted to the ever-growing technological hype. Texting, social networking websites, instant messaging, Skype, and yes, blogging have become the norm for communication among youth. Verbal and written communications have been sideswiped by this new wave of technology. While Bauerlein may see these advances as distractions for youth, they are becoming necessary to learn. From a young age if people are effectively taught time management skills, they can learn to get their work done and still be able to learn and play with the new technology. Honestly, can you imagine not using or learning these new forms of technology and still being able to keep up with your friends, family, school and work? I think not. At my age, my friends expect me to write on their Facebook wall when it’s their birthday, they expect me to reply to their text messages within the hour, and they were even surprised that I didn’t have a webcam on my computer up until last year. Most professors require that papers be typed and printed, jobs require that a resume be typed and printed, and when I become a professional photographer I will need Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom skills to enhance my photos!

In the end, I can’t agree with Bauerlein and say that I am growing up as a member of the dumbest generation. I don’t think that being easily distracted detracts from a person’s intelligence—it is how the distraction is handled. With new technology comes new responsibilities and the younger generations need to learn to adapt given the new and advancing resources.