Technology, Education, and Communication

The story we read called "The Netizen: Birth of a Digital Nation," by Jon Katz, analyzes the spread of democracy through the internet, and its effect on the people of this country, as well as online culture.

In his final subtopic though, he mentions: "Technology is power. Education is power. Communication is power. The digital young have all three." My question for you is whether or not you agree with this statement.

I must say... Think back to every world war ever fought, or any minor dispute you may have had just between you and some other person. Now, most of the time, is the argument not based on the premise that someone is lacking one of the above three elements? I argue with people all the time, who insist they're correct, because it's what they know. However, what they know is outdated, and what I know is the latest and greatest, truth. My ex-roommate argued with me once about Dr. Seuss. Now, I'd just finished reading several books about the guy, and writing a something like 10 page paper about the topic this argument was about. Cleary I knew, and he didn't, what I was writing and talking about. Yet, his innocent and naive image of Dr. Seuss is what he stood by, and he argued for this guy, and against what I, and the books, said. What he didn't understand was that, unlike in his case, what I was saying wasn't an opinion, it was fact. Education... definitely leads to the Know, which is power, in its purest form. Even a simpler example would be nomadic settlers- the ones who know how to farm and hunt will survive the best.

Technology. All of us know a great deal more than most people in Africa and South America about technology. We can use that technology to Communicate better with each other. Already here, power is manifested in the power to communicate with one another, which is a result purely of technology.

**Random side note: When I went to India two Christmas's ago, my girlfriend and I bought hundreds of pieces of candy, and went to a small countryside village and handed them out to all the children. It was the most rewarding experience of my life.**

John Katz finishes his article with, "No other social group is as poised to dominate culture and politics in the 21st century." He is referring, of course, to us, the Net-Generation. His point is valid and accurate. As we have seen, power is manifested through education, and communication, which is a result of technology. Given such a verity, it would be illogical to assume that our generation isn't the most poised yet to take over the world, whether it be physically or digitally. We're also the most prepared to run this country. How would you assess Katz's outlook for the future of our generation?

Or, if you feel that developing and advancing technology will ultimately be our downfall, then you might want to check out this link, because it says that the DHS (Dept. of Homeland Security) agrees with you.

http://www.p2pnet.net/story/11518