The past two months have given me a completely new perspective on the past and future.  I won't bore you with too many of the details.   Let's just say that I have been forced to reflect a bit more than I normally would. 

In my role as VP of Social Media for commonground, I need to balance time between staying on top of what is cutting edge and mainstream best practices, without losing track of goals.  I enjoy spending time with environmental and property professionals, executives, coworkers, business partners, friends and family discussing the evolution of how we do both our professional and personal business.  

Recently, I have spent a lot of time with a number of individuals in their late 70's and 80's, including family members, on the same topic.    It seems like their collective frustrations can be bucketed into three categories - technology, the younger generation, and finances/healthcare costs.    They ask questions such as:

• Why is everything technology, technology, technology?
• How come kids these days never put down their cell phones?
• Why does the younger generation think they are so entitled?
• How much did you pay for that?
• Why would you buy a new one, your old one is not that old?
• Why can't I talk with someone on the phone instead of one of those computer agents?

Do some of these sound familiar?   Those of you who know me are well aware that I am never afraid to throw my $.02 into a conversation at the appropriate time.  This one was different.   I was the youngest person by a good 40 years and one that has spent a lot of time studying the evolution of the generations.    So, the conversation about the above went on for a good 10 minutes and I was quiet.  Then, I could not help myself anymore and just spoke my true feelings concerning the topic.

The reason why everything is powered by technology, we all live on our cell phones, and money is often wasted on what might be deemed "unnecessary purchases" is.......you.    

You should have seen the faces as I began to explain why.... Let it be known that I did not win any popularity contests with my answers, but I believe them to be true.

As a parent, you encouraged us to get the best possible education and manage our time so that we could find a good job.  You told us we had to learn about computers as "they are going to be the future".  You told us we had to, like it or not, in order to have the best chance at being successful.     You were the ones, our mentors, who encouraged innovation, effort, and teamwork.    You experimented with new things (insert things here) and organized Woodstock.  You invented game changing things like powered windows in cars vs. cranks, call waiting, handheld mobile devices, computers that could automate just about anything, and the world wide web.   You introduced us to TV, video games, and remote controls.  You taught us to use the microwave because it was faster.  You brought us to McDonald's because it was easier when things were hectic.  You taught us that if we truly believed in something to go after it and you would support us (even if we got in a bit of trouble). You also told us that in order to get rich, you needed to invent something.  Whether we want to admit it or not, our culture has collectively embraced the things you taught us.  And, what you taught us was right.  Technology has become a way to maximize business and personal efficiency - efficiency that is required in order to keep up.  And because we have to keep up, the younger generation may seem like it is not paying attention.  I would argue that more times than not, they are multi-tasking. 

Then, I politely closed with this comment - before we spend too much being negative about how things are today and will be moving forward, I encourage you to look in the mirror because you are as much to blame as I am.  You may not agree with my opinion.  However, I just thought it was important to openly and respectfully share my feelings on the subject, which of course is another thing you taught us to do.

Some of you may perhaps read Lauren Rosencranz's Blog titled Fresh in the Field.   If you don't, I would encourage you to check it out as she often addresses topics like this and the changing business landscape.

Even though my blog post has nothing to do with Phase I ESA's, Contamination, or REC's, sometimes we need to think through why things are the way they are and accept responsibility for our actions both now and in the future.  Wouldn't you agree?

Just something to think about...... the next time you look up from checking your blackberry, while at Starbucks -- to see if the line has moved yet.