think:lab: MediaSnackers (Portland, OR): "The World is Changing and It's Not Turning Back"

Mid-way through the recent the Rethinking School Facilities Summit (Reshape School: Space + Place) in Portland, OR on Wednesday, something really striking unfolded. MediaSnackers' DK, the 3rd or 4th speaker, had just finished a presentation in front of well over 200 professionals, decision-makers, leaders. And approximately 20 high school students.

The adults were sitting, nodding, quietly talking to someone nearby perhaps. For many, DK's presentation was like a Rosetta Stone from the future. There would need to be time to fully absorb the ideas.

The 20 kids were not being so quiet. They didn't need time to absorb. All of them -- unrehearsed -- were standing, applauding, doing the closed-hand knuckle-hit with a 'mate', beaming, celebrating one of the adult speakers who they knew actually 'got it'. Sure, the kids were flattered to be there in the room, were amazing offering introductions to the presenters, were the reminder to all of the adults what these discussions were all about. And they were pumped by DK. Or, better yet, they were engaged. Riveted. Like nothing I've ever seen -- not as a teacher, not as a coach, not as a school planning professional.

DK's 2nd slide said the following: "The world has changed and it's not turning back." This was the teaser and provocation that led the audience down the convergence rabbit hole of new media/technology shifts taking place in the lives of youths today. And in the years to come. And I believe it was also an unexpected reflection of his presentation's impact on the audience as well. And they can't "turn back".

I've been to a lot of conferences. Seen some exceptional presentations by some exceptional speakers. And while there are often lines of polite adults waiting to exchange business cards, but I've never seen such joyful and natural celebration by audience members. Considering that this summit of some extraordinary decision-makers and experts came together to imagine extraordinary solutions for these kids, it was refreshing to see that there was someone on stage that the kids branded as authentic. Truly.

Even better? As one of the other speakers said at the end of the day:

"DK is amazing. Look at him over there. [points to DK talking with 3 kids] He's been in a non-stop conversation with the high school kids for over 3 hours. Amazing."

Quick shout-out to Louis and Gali (photo to right) and the many, many other high school students who brought something exceptional of their own to the summit. Portland, OR has much to be proud of in the coming generation of leaders! My favorite moment amongst many talking with them? The "Do you know the mosquito ring-tone?" moment. And then seeing several of the students pull out their cell phones, "Yeah, and I've got it!" As an adult, DK and I could NOT hear the tone. Not at all! But what was even better was the 20 minute conversation that followed between we 'digital natives' and 'digital immigrants' as to what the age-ear selective mosquito tone can say to us on a much bigger level.

Amazing to finally meet DK in person. For nearly 2 years, DK and I have collaborated on many levels on a daily/weekly basis thanks to the power of Skype, blogging, email, video-conferencing, podcasting, and just about any other digital 'tool' we can lay our virtual hands on. Our own 'digital immigrant' media-snacking version, I suppose. My wife no longer finds it even the least bit unusual if the laptop suddenly begins talking...with a Welsh accent, no less.

Being in a position to connect DK to the summit planners a few months ago when they were looking for a 'digital' provocateur was a no-brainer, in my mind. Want someone who truly 'gets' the profound shift of youth media/tech habits with a focus on creating a globe full of young 'digital journalists', many of which would be completely ignored by the power-that-be. Spend some time media-snacking with DK. No-brainer! Considering the # of invitations he's been receiving to speak and lead MediaSnacker sessions around the world as of late, something tells me he's going to be a very busy guy in the year to come!