hyperlink generation

June 23, 2002 &bull productivity

When I was growing up the label “MTV generation” was applied to youngsters who needed to be entertained with videos rather than books, Downtown Julie Brown rather than Bozo, Cookie, and their friends. In short, it meant the new generation of kids needed a constant stream of multimedia to hold their attention. Gone were the days of merely reading a book at story-hour — bring out the VCR!

I’m predicting that a new label will surface in the years to come — the “hyperlink generation.” Although I have a minor addiction for movies, I’m really not a TV fan. Combine this with my love of reading and you could safely say that I don’t fit the “MTV generation” mold. However, if the “hyperlink generation” ever catches on, I could probably qualify as the poster child.

What exactly is the “hyperlink generation?” I could provide a lengthy definition, but frankly I’m too busy browsing CNN, Slashdot, and The Economist, all while searching for “Argentine thoroughbreds” on Google. (I saw a license plate holder the other day that said “Happiness is owning an Argentine thoroughbred.” I’m trying to figure out what that’s all about.) I’m also in the process of writing this little “snippet.” Oh, and I have a book in front of me because 15 minutes ago I sat down at my desk to do some reading. Wait a minute, how did I end up reading an article about the upcoming G8 summit? An all too clear illustration of what the hyperlink generation is all about. Sit one of us down at a computer and in a matter of minutes we’ll have at least 5 different browser windows open, reading 5 different articles, from 5 different web sites, all while either chatting with friends on our favorite instant messenger or sending e-mails to our co-workers.

Am I the only person who has this problem? I remember when I used to have a razor-sharp focus and could sit down and read a book or work on something for hours on end. Now I can’t even read an entire article online without bouncing around from site to site. As soon as a new thought surfaces I instantly start combing the web, looking for more data. Before I know it I have access to more information than I could read even if I had days to read it. I’ll settle for just reading the first few paragraphs, though, before I get caught up in a new thought or question and open another browser.

I’m trying to kick the habit and do less multi-clicking (i.e., multi-tasking + mouse-clicking) while at my desk, but I’m not having much luck. Sometimes I feel as if my entire consciousness is just a series of hyperlinks. My attention span no more than than one thought spawning more, unrelated thoughts, which lead to distraction after distraction.

I really haven’t talked to anyone about my hyperlinking “problem” so I’m not sure if this is a widespread issue for my generation or just the onset of my own dementia. Hopefully I will be able to come to a conclusion while I’m still able to concentrate. Maybe I could start searching some newsgroups to find out if others….

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