So I came, I saw and I kicked some a**! As per my earlier post, I was in a lovely little place in Crieff chatting with some super smart and very talented young adults about Social Media and the power behind it. Going in I expected a pretty Social Media savvy bunch. I mean c’mon, these people grew up with the internet, they were on facebook out of the gate. Far from it. This group knows all about facebook of course, but not much beyond that.
Fascinating and scary all at the same time. They are young. And young people do stupid things. But to think that those stupid things could last an eternity online, is something that really hadn’t hit their radar.
The presentation was a success. I feel like they got a really good glimpse at what Social Media is, why they need to be aware of it and how to keep themselves out of the scandals.
I drove the 45 minutes home in silence. No music. No news. No me singing my guts out to a bit of Beyonce or Savage Garden. Just silence. I think I was so quiet because I was in a room with a couple of Kevin Rose <Digg types> a lady who I believe will transform the legal side of Social Media and then some. And several others who I will see as celebrity bloggers, international event speakers and one two or three who will be arm pit deep in the Chindia powerhouse. I also met someone who wants to be a CDN ambassador… I think I felt honored to be in their presence.
Smart kids. They have lots of ideas. I cannot wait to see what they do to change our world for the better.
Another interesting thing to mention… this was a room of Gen Yers who made it clear that they hold values and tradition near and dear to their heart. They want to resist the ridiculusly fast technology advances for fear it may be costing us dearly. I also work with a number of Gen Yers who feel the same. I am fascinated as to why they think technology means one must compromise on what’s near and dear to to them. It doesn’t. At least I sure as hell don’t let it.
Hmmm! These are our new soccer moms, the new metrosexuals and diet coke drinkers. If this room of people represents the force that is Gen Y… and p.s. people, by 2010 Gen Yers will outnumber baby boomers, then we should all watch very carefully as they could easily turn the table and course correct the evolution. Lest we not forget. The power has shifted from the corporate boardrooms to the people.
Oh! And then one fabulous woman and I <we ducked out to her cabin for a sneaky gin and tonic, bombay sapphire, tall glass, wedge of lemon, lots of ice> entertained the idea of what life would be like if someone pulled the www plug out of the wall! Zap! Gone. – Holy Shizah! That would be one interesting pickle! Non?
Thank you for inviting me to the party Ralf!
Apr 18th by Shannon
Gen Y has never known life without the internet. Is it probable that SM will be like iTunes to them? Will this be anything new to them at all? Will they be rolling their eyes because they already get it? Possibly.
