Part 1 of 3

I recently realized that I have a love-hate relationship with a few things in my life. Oreo Cookie Blizzards, reality TV, my iPad, my mobile phone and my computer. I LOVE them at the time of use or indulgence, but inevitably pay for them later in the form of calories, time wasting or the feeling of being tethered to a digital lifeline.

In his new book, The Shallows -What the Internet Does to Our Brain, Nicholas Carr addresses two very different views of today’s digital technology. “Technology enthusiasts”, he says, “ praise the torrent of new content as the democratization of culture and herald the new golden age of access and participation.” Conversely, critics of new technology “condemn the crassness of the content and the dumbing down of culture” while, “bemoaning a new dark age of mediocrity and narcissism.”

While one could argue that both attitudinal views have some measure of truth, the fact is that it doesn’t matter. We all know the “technology train” has left the station, with a whole bunch of people on board.

(Up Next: What does the future hold??)