Rolf Dobelli said
In 1997, Don Tapscott wrote Growing Up Digital, an extensively researched inquiry into how growing up immersed in digital technology changed a generation. Now, he returns to this question, exploring what has happened as that generation and its technology have matured. Tapscott addresses numerous concerns and delves into accusations commonly voiced about this "New Generation." He generally finds that the insults are without merit. In fact, he is almost a cheerleader for the digital generation (or "Net Gen," as he calls it). The book reads quickly, especially considering that it is based on a $4 million, multiyear research project including nearly 10,000 interviews. Where Tapscott shows his supportive research, he is highly persuasive. When he wanders into personal positions, his reasoning is less compelling. getAbstract suggests his comprehensive report to a wide range of readers: all marketers and futurists, anyone interested in cyber-culture and any human resources professionals who wonder how to integrate Net Gen into the workforce.
H. M. M. Vliet said
With the publication of Don Tapscott's new book on the Net Generation ("Grown up Digital"), I could write "Go and read this book", but it might end up as a quote on the Dutch edition of this book (which I don't aspire!), while leaving out the second part of the quote "...because it is flawed in so many ways that it serves as a good textbook on how NOT to present your arguments in a (scientific) debate."
Tapscott's book is one of many books that tries to capture the essence of the current generation by stressing the impact of the technological developments on these youngster, especially Internet and popular applications such as Google, FaceBook, YouTube and others. This leads to a host of exclusive names such as `digital natives', `net generation', `Millennials', `Screenagers' and `generation Einstein'. Currently more research is becoming available that questions many assertions of these authors. What is more, one can seriously question the added value of speaking of generations. For instance, evidence points in the direction that differences in a generation can be as profound as differences between generations. I will write more elaborate about this in the upcoming publication `Wijs met Media' (`Medialiteracy'). Here, let me shortly zoom in on just one aspect: methodology.
If you want to make a statement on the use and experience of transportation: would you ask only car owners? And would you invite members of the Fiat 500 fan club to contribute anecdotes on how they experience going for point A to point B? If the answer is no, would you then gather data on the current generation by asking only internet users on the influence of technology and new media on their behaviour and would you use a FaceBook community as a way to tap into the experience of a whole generation. Do you? Well, Don Does.
Would you disqualify scientific research with the remark that laboratory research cannot capture the complexity of reality and replace this with your personal observations of your own children? Would you leave out data on other generations, preventing any comparison among generations? Would you step over any data that is contrary to your point with the remark "anyway"? And would you beforehand disqualify any counterargument by stating that those arguments are based on fear, fear for the new? Well, Don does.
Would you ask the CEO of Google whether he thinks his employees represent the `dumbest generation', and take its denial as part of the proof that the Net Generation is media smart, and are full-fledged communication professionals? Would you criticise other research for using surveys and base your own research on...surveys? And would you spend four million dollar on research on the Net Generation and present as recurring `evidence' the behaviour and quotes of your own two children Niki and Alex? Well, Don does.
Tapscott disqualifies the current educational praxis as a hundred year old monster that needs a fundamental shake-up. Less `broadcasting' more interaction. Certainly a point of discussion but not with the arguments Tapscott brings to the table. But I'll give him one point, as a `student of methodology' (p. 305) Tappscott hasn't picked up fundamental principles of doing research while in a `traditional' class. Maybe he should have attended classes more or `interacted' with someone knowledgeable... But Don didn't.
Joseph J. Leandri said
The book Grown up Digital authored by Don Tapscott really gave me a new perspective to observe the daughter's daily interactions. These interactions are not face-to-face per se but via electronic products. Once the personal computer, her My Space page provides her with the daily instant messages from her friends she did not see in school and new photos to download. I have her password and check it regularly. Then of course there is the cell phone that is literally attached to her hands. There is no down time. Watching TV, listening to her iPod, doing homework, and texting messages (plus 4,000 per month) simultaneously proves the author's claim: This generation is better multitasking and is significantly more collaborative. Finally, as a father who still prefers email, I think the 18-31 age group is better informed than the baby boomers they report to at work. Growing up with the Internet was definitely a good thing. Instead of completing a task at work, the Internet can give one the entire picture of a particular issue. I cannot imagine a society where the more knowledge you have, the worse you are for it. Finally, I agree with Don Tapscott on his most important assertion about the smartest generation in his book Grown Up Digital. With much credit given to internet usage growing up, I to believe this generation will be the smartest generation in American history.
Jon Ruark said
As a Millennial myself, I bought this book based on the topic as well as having read Don Tapscott's Wikinomics. I was extremely impressed with the amount of research that Mr. Tapscott has put into this book. He counters almost every negative assumption about the Net Generation with hard statistical evidence. At times, I felt that this book was biographical of my life and the way I learn, work, and process information. I would HIGHLY recommend this to anyone who wants to know how the digital generation will impact their lives.
J. T. Johnson said
I was assigned to read this book for a college course and after reading the Introduction I was looking forward to it. The first few chapters provide intriguing incite on the next greatest generation, the Net Generation. After the author presents his main arguments, my interest took a sharp turn downward. In the middle chapters, I find Tapscott to be VERY repetitive. He keeps repeating his arguments over and over with no newly found evidence to support them. Also, I was disappointed when he constantly referred to his kids as a prime example of the "smartest generation." He does use the findings of some interesting studies, but then immediately brags about how his kids use technology and how he is amazed at how they understand it so easily. I was personally unimpressed.
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