November 30, 2008

Technology Rules the World

Everyone knows technology has taken over the world and has forever changed the way we communicate, connect, share information, make purchases….the list goes on and on. Technology has helped professionals, students and every-day people develop and foster a whole new level of creativity. It’s even drastically changing entire industries…some for the better, others for the worse.

I have to give a shout out and thanks to Lauren W. for finding and sharing the video Did You Know 3.0. The video (credited to Karl Fisch, Scott McLeod and Jeff Brenman) is brimming with stats about how technology has revolutionized the world. The video also forecasts some future cause and effects of technology. It repeatedly asks the question “did you know?” followed by stats and facts related to technology from countries like the United States, India and China. WARNING: The music may cause waves of nausea and force you to believe you are at a rave with 100 strobe lights beaming around you. Check it out, perhaps on mute!

Here’s the YouTube link.

I was amazed by this video, but what I found to be the most mind-blowing is:

  • The top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 did not exist in 2004.
  • 1 out of 8 couples married in the U.S. last year met online.
  • The number of texts sent and received each day exceeds the total population of the planet.

The video concludes with a thought-provoking question: “So what does it all mean?” It simply means that technology is changing the way we live our lives so rapidly that once we get accustomed to one thing, it’s outdated and we’re moving on to the next phase. So is true for professionals working in creative industries such as PR, marketing, journalism and anything Web-based. The way I started doing my job nearly two years ago is definitely NOT the way I do my job today. And…I’ll probably say the same thing six months from now.

So how we do handle all this? My two cents: Embrace (don’t fear) new knowledge and learn as much as possible about how to utilize these technology-evoked changes to advance your personal and professional life. Simple, right 😉