Who's afraid of new technology?

Recently, Rupert Murdoch, the chairman of News Corp, is asked to present the 2008 Series of Boyer Lectures. The second lecture bears the title of this blog message, contains something worth remembering and pondering:

But technology will do you no good unless you have men and women who know how to take advantage of it. That leads me to my second point: the growing importance of human capital. In other words, an educated and adaptable population.

[snip]

That's because computers will never substitute for common sense and good judgment. They will never have empathy, either. To be successful, a business needs people who see the big picture, who can think critically, and who have strong character.

Economists call these skills 'human capital'. You won't find this capital listed on a corporate balance sheet. But it is the most valuable asset a company has. If you talk to any chief executive about his number one challenge today, he will probably not say technology. It's far more likely he will say his top challenge is attracting and retaining talented people.

[snip]

If you are a worker, you have an even greater incentive to invest in yourself....

My point is this: as technology advances, the premium for educated people with talent and judgment will increase. In the future, successful workers will be those who embrace a lifetime of learning. Those who don't will be left behind.

That may sound harsh. But it is a truth we must face. And it is a great opportunity for us all.

For most people, adapting to the changes that are coming will require moving out of comfort zones.

Moving out of comfort zones begins with education.