G1089 Left to their own devices; How digital natives are reshaping the American dream
Author: Julie M. Albright
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Publishing Date: 2019
ISBN: 978-1-63388-444-1
Summary:
A sociologist explores the many ways that digital natives' interaction with technology has changed their relationship with people, places, jobs, and other stabilizing structures and created a new way of life that is at odds with the American Dream of past generations.
"Digital natives" are hacking the American Dream. Young people brought up with the Internet, smartphones, and social media are quickly rendering old habits and norms a distant memory, creating the greatest generation gap in history. In this eye-opening book, digital sociologist Julie M. Albright looks at our device-obsessed society, and the many ways in which the post World War II American Dream is waning for the Millennial generation.
Albright notes that in the former age of traditional media (dominated by three major TV networks and the national print media), values were more harmonized and time, synchronized. Today, with a deluge of information available 24/7, we are experiencing a sort of digital tribalism, with people coalescing inside of increasingly fragmented informational echo chambers. Digital media allows bad actors to enlarge the rifts between these siloed tribes in divide-and-conquer fashion, frothing up fears by propagating fake news and fake people online.
What are other effects of hyper-connectivity coupled with disconnection from stabilizing social structures? Albright sees both positives and negatives. On the one hand, mobile connectivity has given "digital nomads" the unprecedented opportunity to work or live anywhere. On the other hand, new threats are emerging, including cyberbullying and the ability to radicalize marginalized youth, decreased physical exercise, increased isolation, anxiety and loneliness, ephemeral relationships, fragmented attention spans, lack of participation in community activities and the political process, and detachment from the calm of nature or the refuge of religion.
In this time of rapid, global, technologically driven change, this book offers fresh insights into the effects of always-on devices on the family, community, business, and society at large.
Author Info:
(From the book)
Julie M Albright, PhD, is a sociologist specializing in digital culture and communications. She is a lecturer in the applied psychology and engineering departments at the University of Southern California. Dr. Albright's research has focused on the growing intersection of technology and social/behavioral systems. She has given talks for major data center and energy conferences including SAP for Utilities, IBM Global, Data Center Dynamics and the Dept of Defense, and has been featured in national media outlets including the TODAY SHOW, CNN, NBC NIGHTLY NEWS, CBS, NPR, the WALL STREET JOURNAL, the NEW YORK TIMES and many others.
Personal Opinion:
Quite often the generation of Millennial is maligned and put down. But very often, haven't people wondered or are curious in how and why Millennial Generation are this way? For a reader seeking an answer to this question, this book by Julie M. Albright is a dream come true. And the answers she will reveal are heartbreaking, astonishing and surprising. For me as a Millenial (born in 1985) this was both a fascinating and heartbreaking read, and I often feel lucky that I was born in 1985 instead of way later. Perhaps because I am a mother to a new generation, the parts about children and iPads/iPhones, were the most sad because my goals is for my son to enjoy and love life instead of being glued to digital all the time. I also was aghast at how technology was like a narcotic for the brain, and how all of it is changing everything in our lives. While major change has always occured in lives of humans, from discovery of fire to iPads, I am curious how humanity will deal with this change and what will happen, which the author does briefly address. All in all, a wonderful and powerful read about Millennial and technology.
This was given for a review
5 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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