Television Tomorrow

Spending time in the Archive.org's Prelinger Archives is rewarding if you care to dig deep. It's a little like a thift store. You have to poke around to find the really good stuff, but when you find it, it's really good stuff. For instance, I found a video from the 1940s entitled "Television Tomorrow." It's a studio exec riffing on what he calls a new technology...television...and where it may be headed. Check out the downloadable, free video here: http://www.archive.org/details/tomorrow_television

There are short videos on every topic imaginable. They're not in the most intuitive organizational structure, but spend some time. You'll find a gem...like those Jordache Jeans that were SOOOOO cool in junior high.

Generation Y's Goal

This week, I have been reading Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray Love. I've only read part one so far about how she learns to experience sensual (note: different from sexual) pleasure in Italy, mostly through food. It made me think about how the children I teach in technology class are soooooo all about gratifying their own pleasures. Every game we play or lesson they learn, they want to know how they will be rewarded. For a hard-working, internally driven person like myself, I see this as selfishness and weakness. A USA article I read recently helped me to see it differently:
Generation Y's Goal? Wealth and Fame
Essentially, 81% of 18-25 year olds cite being rich as their #1 goal and 51% said being famous. This is the first generation who is growing up seeing themselves as stars on American Idol, The Real World and the Apprentice. They think their lives are suitable for entertaining consumption on My Space and Facebook. Each is a modern day Narcissus. How do we help children whose worldview is shaped by this outlook?