Digital Nation

I highly recommend this Frontline special http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/

Its a great look at the use of digital media and its implications. I found it especially interesting given my age--the fact I am a 'digital immigrant' (in their terms)--and that I know how life worked prior to the rapidly evolving, connected age in which I live now. I also loved how they illustrated the age old gap between the 'old generation' and the 'new generation'. Every mature generation loves to vent about the demise of values and the dangers of change--it's been going on forever. Like they show in this, people thought TV was going to ruin the world, then MTV, then the internet, and now all this 'connectedness'. Funny.

But I also loved the point they drive home regarding the power of anything and its inherent fall into 'evil hands'. The fact that, as with anything, all things can be used well or badly, or for good or for evil. So it's unfair to judge anything by its misuse. Or by its merits alone.

Overall 'Digital Nation' is a fair look at reality. I love the principle of, "Embrace the inevitable truth..." and this special simply lays out what that is. For now.

Stephen

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