Smart Shifting: And so it begins… but what does digital even mean?

Digital, eh? What’s that about?

Listen to any corporate strategy pitch at the moment and it will include the phrase ‘digital transformation’.

A raft of pundits will no doubt be able to give you a precise definition of ‘digital’ but – while it might be good and well thought-through, it will be wrong.

Why? Because it will disagree with the well-thought-through definitions of others.

As the great sage Inigo Montoya once wrote, “You keep using that word, I don’t think you know what it means.”

Meanwhile, the fact is that we are entering the digital age, whether we like it or not.

In this blog series I will be starting out on a journey to understand where we are heading and its ramifications, for better and worse.

We will see winners and losers, good and bad use of the tools we are being presented. From a wilderness of mirrors to a cacophony of conflicting signals.

Will we be augmented or digitised? How will our notions of employment, of entertainment, of education, of experience be affected?

I have strong views and indeed, prejudices which will be challenged. I will create models only to rip them up and throw them away. I welcome having more questions than answers.

I welcome your views on places I should start looking for such answers. From mass behavioural psychology to global economics, from ancient philosophy to modern thinking.

Meanwhile, I’ll be throwing down snippets on Twitter and Facebook. I might record the occasional podcast. Watch those spaces.

I may not arrive. If you don’t hear from me for a while, then please do call the authorities.

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