I spent several days last month at the National Speakers Association convention. As much as I always come away feeling both exhilarated and challenged, the thing that struck me most this time was the focus on speed. We spent one session learning that those planning meetings are now making decisions on which speaker to hire by watching one- to three- minute clips of candidate after candidate. This was not just hearsay, the presenter had substantial evidence to prove it.
In another session, we kept an eye on a Twitter feed posted on a screen in the room as the presenter covered his material. If we agreed or disagreed with what he was saying, we were encouraged to tweet our thoughts for everyone to read immediately regardless of whether it was relevant, contradictory or even nonsensical. In still another session, we discussed the demand for instant downloads of anything we offer; books, recordings, white papers, research, and so on. If the customer can’t have it within 30 seconds some argued, they won’t buy it, even though it may take them months to read or view it. It was enough to make my head spin.
Admittedly, I am a digital immigrant. I have come to all this technology after having lived without it for more than forty years. While I am no whiz at learning new applications, I pride myself on remaining current in both their use and impact. After all, digital technology is a big part of what divides the generations.
But here’s the thing. As much as we laud the efficiency of digital technology, it is having two material impacts on the emerging generations: 1) It is conditioning many to believe that all answers come in the form of choices and options that they can find somewhere on-line or in a software application; 2) Many have developed a perception that anything worth having can be had immediately with the click of a mouse or the touch of a screen. Sure, they may give lip service to the idea that it takes time to accomplish important things. But they are failing to grasp the idea that some of the “coolest” stuff is worth waiting for and that it is usually obtained through hard work and prolonged effort.
Earlier this year, the Pew Research Center released another part of their Internet and American Life project. In their executive summary, the researchers include the following observation: “Analysts generally believe that young people growing up in today’s networked world and counting on the internet as their extended brain will be nimble analysts and decision-makers who will do well. But these experts also expect that constantly connected teens and young adults will thirst for instant gratification and often make quick, shallow choices.”
Going forward parent, teachers and employers will find themselves increasingly grappling with impatient children, students and employees whose desire and expectation will be easy and immediate solutions in spite of the rewards of research, reflection, perseverance and the value of delayed gratification. I wish I had a quick and easy answer, but I don’t. Later this year, we will be releasing a book entitled Common Sense by Friday: Re-thinking Thinking in a Menu-Driven World which will identify some of the strategies parents, educators and employers are using to grapple with this change in perception and practice. To read the preface, go to the book’s website at www.commonsensebyfriday.com.