Ed sent this video over because he knows how strongly I feel about the next President knowing how to use a computer; it’s really not open for debate, as this video suggests. Also, it’s astonishing, telling, and quite sad that one of the few remaining jobs you can hold in the United States without knowing how to use a computer is Senator and/or President. Abortion? *shrugs* Tax plans? Whatever. Diplomacy and foreign relations? Blah, blah, blah. What’s really important is that YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO USE A COMPUTER IF YOU’RE GOING TO RUN THE COUNTRY FROM 2009-2013.

Update: Whoa.  I’ve received more email on this post than anything else I’ve ever put up.

The very wise Grant sez:

Thought you might find this interesting.  Technology adoption is not as prevelent as people of our age think.

There are lots of jobs where you can find very successful people that don’t know how to use a computer.  Lawyers, bankers, CEOs, doctors, or pretty much any job that places a huge premium on knowledge and experience.

I’m not sticking up for McCain, but I don’t really see how the president needs to be able to use a computer.  I doubt if any presidents have ever done anything more than use Outlook and word anyway in a professional capacity (probably only the last two presidents, too) and these tasks are not critical to the job.  I see the President’s primary job skills as listening, talking, reading, thinking, negotiating, delegating, and deciding. At no point will he need to make a spreadsheet or even check his email.

If an employer told a job candidate that they couldn’t hire them because they can’t use a computer when that is not a required skill, the employer would be accused of age discrimination.  If you want to say that McCain’s computer illiteracy is a proxy for how old he is, fine.  But then the question becomes why is it important for the President to be young? Not why does he need to know how to use a computer?

I sez:

You’re right: computer illiteracy is very prevalent among older Americans. 

However, the basic point that the President for the next four years should have at least basic computer literacy is important, at the very least, because the country needs forward-looking and forward-thinking perspective, especially with technology.  That’s not to say that the next President should be on IM all day with his staff or putting federal documents on bittorrent. 

Rather, the next President needs to understand how powerful the new communication via new communications technology will play a crucial role in the future success/ failure of the nation in these next four years—four critical years for the United States—and that’s not an understanding that can come without actually using the technology. 

Yes, many very capable and very talented Americans in their 40’s and 50’s don’t regularly do things like send txt messages or quickly consult Google for answers to basic questions.  And many of them hold high-paying jobs where their functions are listening, talking, reading, thinking, negotiating, delegating, and deciding, leaving the web for their assistants.

On the one hand it is, for me personally, baffling (and a bit scary) that so many top spots lack these skills.  But on the other hand, more objectively, there’s a universe of difference in the output and work style of someone who knows what kind of computer they have and someone who doesn’t, especially in listening, talking, reading, negotiating and even delegating. 

If you were interviewing candidates for a generic high level position in 2009 that included working in concert with a large number of people, having strong computer skills is not just a bonus for one candidate, the lack of even basic skills would be a deal closer.  Age discrimination would not be an issue, since knowing how to use a computer IS a basic skill for the job, and there are several other candidates who are older that have this basic understanding of computers and communications technology.  (Ron Paul is in his 70’s and knows he uses a PC.)

Matt sez: Where’s Obama and Clinton?  Ok nevermind, where is Obama?  :)

I sez: Barry uses a blackberry.