Video: Debunking digital stereotypes with John Palfrey

Born in the 1970s, I have found myself to be considered an "old timer," at least according to the research of John Palfrey, an author and Harvard University professor. Palfrey's new book, Born Digital examines the way kids born after 1980 are coming of age in an increasingly digital world, more heavily reliant on technology than ever before. I may be pretty tech-savvy, but I can also remember listening to tapes on a Sony Walkman, researching school projects in library books, and making play dates to actually play outside, not on a video game console. Sheesh. I'm really showing my age.

I have yet to read Born Digital, but had the chance to sit down with Palfrey while on book tour in San Francisco to discuss these so-called digital natives, the way they're growing up, and the crossroads he claims society is stalled at. He says we have a choice moving forward to either embrace technology responsibly and acknowledge its growing role in our of our lives or give in to fear and limit the growth and creativity that technology can help foster.

[HighwayHome]

Unless you've used vinyl or 8-Track tapes extensively, you're really not showing your age.

[Barbara Iverson]

If you remember acoustic couplers, keypunch machines, and 100 BAUD modems you are old.

[johnericanderson]

My first computer was analog. It had no memory at all.
It flew F-4E Phantoms into North Vietnam and dropped bombs.

The word "computer" was only used by the likes of Emerson Lake and Palmer.
Do not fold, bend, spindle or mutilate.