Are critical and creative thinking skills necessary for survival in the 21st century?
Here is what a recent story in Wired Magazine had to say about 21st century work skills. The Information Age that arrived twenty years ago saved the American economy from slipping as manufacturing jobs migrated beyond American borders. But soon the Information economy jobs will decline as well. In the coming years, Asian outsourcing shall take over many of the professional tasks that go with “linear, logical, analytical talents measured by SATs,” including accounting, legal advice, and hi-tech work. Added to that, automation will come to dominate the financial world, as will computer programming. “To flourish in this age,” the article concludes, “we’ll need to supplement our well-developed high tech abilities with aptitudes that are high concept’ and high touch.'” Successful workers in the “Conceptual Age” will possess the ability “to create artistic and emotional beauty, to detect patterns and opportunities, to craft a satisfying narrative, and to come up with inventions the world did
