10 Commands for Digital Age

As I walked out the door this morning, I heard the announcer on Vermont Public Radio give a promotional announcement for a program to be aired later in the day... the topic sounded intriguing, but I was in the middle of class when the programmed aired, so I did the next best thing... I Googled the bits of the announcement that I recalled, and found the book that went immediately to the top of my “to read” list.

Douglas Rushfoff’s Program or Be Programmed, seems to raise important issues for those of us who care about the future of society and those of us who see a role for humans (all humans) in deciding our individual and collective future. I am intrigued by both the argument he makes in the YouTube video promoting his book and in his 10 Commands for the Digital Age that show up in the table of contents of his book:

I. TIME

Do Not Be "Always On"

II. PLACE

Live in Person

III. CHOICE

You May Always Choose “None of the Above”

IV. COMPLEXITY

You Are Never Completely Right

V. SCALE

One Size Does Not Fit All

VI. IDENTITY

Be Yourself

VII. SOCIAL

Do Not Sell Your Friends

VIII. FACT

Tell the Truth

IX. OPENNESS

Share, Don’t Steal

X. PURPOSE

Program or Be Programmed

This sure seems to be the outline for any good “healthy living in the digital world” lesson for middle school classrooms. I am hopeful that others interested in the issues raised by Rushoff (or who have read his book) continue the discussion...