Sometimes change brings on new ideas

After years of buying PC's , gadgets, software, and having to update every piece of software I own almost every other day....after multiple glitches, crashes, freezes, processor hogging applications, and mystery error messages..after having to upgrade my PC every 3 years..I have finally bought a Macbook Pro. I have never really used a Mac except once in a blue moon when I would hop on one in a local coffee shop. After playing with it for a few days, I realized not only that I love it but just how simple everything is to use. No hidden files, no incompatibility, everything just works. I loaded a few plugins, random software and it all worked glitch free. It is very fast and it got me wondering.

Technology was supposed to make our jobs easier. My problem is that I am a recovering gadget freak. I had a Blackberry, used to swear by palm pilots and now have a Pocket PC. I have tivo (thank god) although I think we watch way too much tv as a whole, have high speed DSL at the house, XBOX 360 when I am bored, hey my nephew loves it..and am considering getting a GPS for Christmas (yes I know it is 6 months away)

So why do I feel so bombarded with information overload? The one thing my new Mac has over the PC is it's simplicity. Did I mention I had an Ipod? This is the one gadget I own that I use the most. I have used other cheaper MP3 players, some with even more features. Features of course that I will never use..all set to make my life "easier" or more "efficient"

I compare these thoughts with the state of the recruiting industry. Have we become so dependent on "Web 2.0" tools that we have forgotten about recruiting 101 skills? I love online tools as well, but I have yet to find a tool that can negotiate on the phone for me, sell the company and the opportunity, or source they way I source on the phone. My fear is that we will give birth to a generation that won't even be able to sign their own name, because handwriting now is too slow for our "get it now" culture. Has technology made us lazy? Has anyone else experienced sensory overload?

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Comment by Slouch on June 5, 2007 at 11:27am: I think that all good recruiters recognize that recruiting is a contact sport and will never stray far from the telephone. I should never say never but...

Comment by Kristi Young on June 5, 2007 at 12:08pm: Honestly I have some days where I don't touch my phone. I host instant message interviews, and have become incredibly skilled at weeding out talent via GTalk. I'm a tech junkie, an internet addict, can't sleep without my Motorola Q close by my side, i probably text message faster than you type.

The purpose of technology is to allow us to be lazier, so to answer that question...Yes it has accomplished it's objective. Even ethough I am a self proclaimed techgeek, nothing will ever replace the telephone (except maybe the web cam with VOIP. remember those video phones that came out years ago and never went anywhere?? i have a feeling they'll be back..soon.) I do experiene sensory overload at times and I just want to hear a phone ring...not play "Drop It Like It's Hot", I want to hear the sound of my mother's voice, I want to meet someone in person that I know nothing about. I think it's about finding a balance that works for you. I'm still working on that part....

Comment by John R. Naugle on October 15, 2007 at 4:13pm: Greetings from Atlanta: City of Peace,

Hello Kevin,
Can you contact me off-line about a project? From your profile I see that you have a "Strong ability to effectively sell the merits of an opportunity to prospects."

Regarding your comment in this post: "Has anyone else experienced sensory overload?" I have heard professionals refer to this era as:
"A Culture of Distraction"

How will "we the people" make corrective action? Is change an option or mandate?

"Change does not roll in
on the wheels of inevitability,
but comes through continuous struggle."
--- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Peace in...
Atlanta: City of Peace and globally,
John