As the world changes and more and more generations become digital natives, journalists must reassert their relevance in the professional realm. According to Elon Musk, a technology entrepreneur, investor and engineer, we are living in a simulated universe. Technology has grown so fast that it is possible we are being controlled by it. A computer can work faster than our brains now. Human interaction is dwindling, while data usage is surging. 

 

Trends seen among the public makes the gist of Musk’s theory seem realistic. Social media runs the world which allows anyone with a Smartphone to be able to create and publish content. Social media is giving the public the tools to beat journalists to the scene, and in turn puts pressure on journalists to create content quicker. Journalists are also receiving pressure to publish content instantaneously because the youngest generation, Generation Z has an average attention span of eight seconds. 

 

As technology progresses, journalism as a career will be more competitive than it is now. It is important to brand yourself well, because one day the only media might be social media. When it comes to preparing the future journalists and communicators to master these skills, colleges and universities are doing a good job. Social media classes, diversity classes and classes that incorporate podcasts are being added into the curriculum. It is worrisome, however, to the students in college now because these classes are being implemented in the latter half of their college careers.