Born Digital

John Palfrey, a professor and vice-dean at Harvard Law School, will discuss the topic of his book, Born Digital (Basic Books, 2008). The talk will cover the first generation of digital natives. These young people are now coming of age, and soon our world will be reshaped in their image. Our economy, our politics, our culture, and even the shape of our family life will be forever transformed. But who are these digital natives? How are they different from digital immigrants? Palfrey will discuss a broad range of issues, from the highly philosophical to the purely practical. What does identity mean for young people who have dozens of online profiles and avatars? Should we worry about privacy issues, or is privacy even a relevant concern for digital natives? How does the concept of safety translate into an increasingly virtual world? Are online games addictive, and how do we need to worry about violent video games? What is the Internet's impact on creativity and learning? What lies ahead—socially, professionally, and psychologically—for this generation?