There was a direct correlation between the amount of television a person watched and their position within a company.

The less passive entertainment someone consumed, the higher up their role would be. Other factors also contributed to this upward climb including connections, gender and race… but even those could be (somewhat) mitigated with focus and determination.

Today, there is still that correlation between passive entertainment and skill development. While a person may not be vying for the top position within a company, they are still looking to develop skills and get noticed.

However, this passive consumption has shifted from television to video games and addiction to our devices.

They have done a tremendous job at keeping us hooked and preventing us from focusing on what really matters. We have yet to learn how to properly navigate their use and to be wary of the psychological pull they have on us.

We can still accomplish great things as long as we acknowledge our devices have become the new television.