Happy Holidays to all! I hope everyone had a wonderful Hanukkah and Christmas. My five year old loves it at this time as most kids do. She is especially lucky in that she gets both a Hanukkah and Christmas. She seems very comfortable with both celebrations. Its organic to her and she embraces both with such enthusiasm. Being a 5 year old digital native, she is also very comfortable with computers. Don't you wish you had such ease with a computer the first time you ever used one? For her, using a computer was like my first trip to the playground. No one had to tell me what to do, I just played. That's how my Daughter is with technology. The first time she pried my iphone from me, she just KNEW how to use it. Have you given any thought to the impact of technology on our lives in the last 10 years? Its really amazing. With our phones and the internet, many of us now have "friends" all over the World thanks to social networks... many we have never met. (probably never will) I expect this to continue in a big way. More and more friends (1000s of them) as we build our personal Network with people who share the same likes and dislikes as us... and the friends we have known?, we may connect with them more, but less in person. Speaking to my Nanny, she felt she is "more" in touch with her friends, calling and texting, but I told her there was a time when you hung with your friends endlessly, in person. Our very definition of "friends" and "close friends", oh boy that's going to change, if it hasn't already. Even the modern design of most streets (made wider so 2 fire trucks could pass each way) in some suburbs took away the natural connection with your neighbors. (Think when you were a kid, you knew everyone pretty much on your block) I barely know my neighbors today. So now we are making connections and friendships so easily over the Web leaving our shyness at home, and the time of these interactions (some lasting only seconds) with lots of strangers the World over. Think of the long range impact. "Face to Face" might be reserved for family, very important business affairs, and the closest of friends. (and even that will go away - I'm waiting see one of my friends get married online" Seriously, this stuff is coming (for those who cant make it to the wedding in person please visit John and Jessica get married.com ) Our definition of face to face may be with Avatars and not in the flesh. Yes, technology had its biggest impact on how we interact within society over last 10 years and it seems it will only be more so in the next 10 years. So I know... I only focused on one aspect of technology's impact over the last decade. And yes we will make more connections, and yes, it will redefine our friendships, but with new technology we also we will find ways to live much much longer (Only if you are very very rich). I do think the impact of Stemcell research over the next 10 years will be mind-boggling. In 20 years, growing organs for replacement will in common almost commonplace for those rich enough to afford it.
I think in addition to saying goodbye to face to face friendships, say goodbye too to all Newspapers and Magazines in paper form. And everyone knows about the death of the Newspaper, but did you know, we will also see the beginning of the end of meat consumption? (and it may take 30 years but its decline will begin). Its going to get too dangerous (Swine flu is not the end, but just the start) and it will become too expensive for most. (strangely enough as it began, when meat was only consumed by the very rich) In this decade we will see the 100 dollar Steak and the 20 Dollar hamburger. Meat substitutes (many today are amazing) will go mainstream as "becoming healthy" really healthy becomes the next big status symbol. Older people will look younger and younger people will look older as the environment takes its toll on those who fail to take care of themselves. There will be a further divide not only between the rich and the poor, but between the healthy and the unhealthy. Living healthy is a lifestyle choice and healthy lifestyle will be marketed and product-ized of sorts as boomers get even older.
I think the one thing as I ramble through my thoughts about this decade and the next is, the 2000's took away our ability to be shocked. Nothing seems shocking anymore. After 9/11, Katrina, Tsunami's, earthquakes, Virgina Tech, The bailing out of AIG and other financial institutions that helped caused the financial crisis, and then to see everyday people lose their homes (with no bail out), the events in and around War in Iraq and the 4,282 US Soldiers and Sailors who have died in combat, its very difficult to shocked by anything anymore. And I don't know if we are just numb to all of these events, but I think most of us are just about ready for anything.
And with that, lets say goodbye to the double OOs and say hello to the next decade~!
Peace to you and happy 2010!
