I'm not even talking about giving into it. Seems like it could be something that happens naturally over time.
In my opinion, it is a matter of choice, it's a matter of focus.
People can choose how intently and how intensely they wish to learn and apply themselves.
If someone wants to write like a sloppy pig in their e-mails and text messages, they will do so.
I do not.
My e-mails and text messages are crystal clear, I use proper grammar, and I capitalize letters where appropriate.
I can't stand when people type in all lower case, for some reason it makes me think they believe they are a descendent of Emily Dickinson.
So far as people not remembering things because they can look it up on thier smart phone.
I offer the following.
You have one chance in this life to make a first impression with each new person you meet.
If you come across as a spacy person who needs to have their smart phone with them to look up things all the time, it will come across as "Linus needing his blanket" in the "Peanuts" comics.
I have a staff person who is a Millenial.
During meetings they are constantly on their smart phone texting people, and looking at Google Maps.
Whenever I see it I call on her openly and ask them a question, and they can't answer it, and they look like a fool.
It's not professional to be jockeying on your smart phone during a professional meeting.
You should be taking notes and be an active participant in the conversation so that you are adding value to the meeting.
If you're not going to do that, then don't show up, and don't come back to work tomorrow, quite frankly.
Also, I can't tell you how many dumbass young kids I see texting while walkling through a grocery store parking lot.
That's a great way to have a minivan back right over you, not smart.
Put your fucking phone away and pay attention to your environment you zombie.
It is every person's duty to themselves to have as much relevant knowledge at their immediate cognitive disposal that is needed to accomplish their purpose in life.
If you think that you can just find all the answers in your electronic gadgets as life flies by, you are gravely mistaken.
The real world demands leadership, and leaders are the people who CAN and WILL do WHAT is needed with WHAT they have to work with WHEN it needs to be done.
Thinking on your feet, on the fly is not easy to do effectively if your brain is a vacuum.
To those who think they can text their way through life, they should be concerned that they will be accepting the status quo, and year after year the status quo is getting less and less desirable.
So, in other words, I am not a fan of laziness, ignorance or stupidity.
I've had to clean up t he messes of lazy, ignorant and stupid people in my career far too many times.
People with such an attitude have no chance to advance in the trenches of the modern professional workplace.
Each of us can choose to be our best, or to be a mediocre slob.
I chose the path of excellence long ago, and I have never looked back or regretted it.
Just my .02.
-Alex