The device that you are reading these words with contains more technology in it than the first spaceship that made it’s way to the moon.  That is staggering to consider.  In fact, the first computers that got the astronauts from earth, to the moon, and back were really nothing more that very powerful calculators.

Now a days, we need to search through the folders on our iPhones just to find the calculator app.

Truth is, we have an enormous amount of power at our fingertips every day.  One thing that we remind ourselves and the kids of often, is that the choices we make about what to do with that power is critical to what kind of life we will live.

It’s an amazing time in history that we have the ability to consume so much information.  But… we also have the power to create so much.  It’s also nice to do a little bit of both.

Let’s face it… who doesn’t mind a bit of mindless entertainment.  In moderation of course.

As parents in the early 21st century, our kids have all kinds of gadgets… and wifi available to them at the house.  You can imagine our challenge over summer vacation to get them to step away from all of that to go do the things we did when we were that age… like, go outside and explore.

Sometimes when we watch them around the house, it reminds us of the Matrix, as it appears that their brains are constantly being downloaded into with a whole host of information.  And if they put the devices down… get ready to hear that phrase, ‘I’m bored.’

We don’t ever remember throwing ‘I’m bored’ out as often as this generation does.

That’s the compelling part for us as parents:  With all of this technology at your fingertips… go out and create something.

Take pictures… make videos… facetime with a family member you haven’t seen in a while.  Find some ridiculous challenge and capture the moment.

There are apps for everything.  Do something with them.  A lot of money is spent on internet and cell phones each month… please do something other than watching 8 second clips of people riding skateboards into walls, and then laughing at him.  At least the dude who hit the wall was out doing something.

People… what are some things you do to bridge the space between Consumption vs Creativity with the technology you have in your home?