Trent University
MyTrent
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Trent Online
    • Summer Courses
    • Continuing Education
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Calendar
    • Academic Timetable
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Academic Advising
    • Library
    • Centre for Teaching and Learning
  • Admissions
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Services & Support
    • Academic Advising
    • Academic Skills Centre
    • Administrative Departments
    • Alumni Services
    • Athletics
    • Campus Security
    • Careerspace
    • Colleges
    • Communications
    • Conferences
    • Financial Aid
    • Financial Services
    • Health & Wellness
    • Indigenous Services
    • Information Technology
    • International Students
    • Learning Support
    • Parking
    • Printshop
    • Recruitment
    • Registrar's Office
    • Residence & Housing
    • Student Clubs
    • TrentU Card
  • Research
    • Research at Trent
    • Research Centres
    • Find an Expert
    • Resources
  • Give to Trent
  • About Trent
    • About Trent
    • Careers
    • Giving to Trent
    • Governance
    • How to Find Us
    • Media
    • News & Events
    • President's Office
    • Staff Directory
    • Trent Facts
    • Contact Us
  • Campus Locations
    • Peterborough
    • Durham GTA
    • Online
  • Future Students
    • Undergraduate
    • Thinking of Applying
    • Already Applied
    • Received an Offer
    • Accepted My Offer
    • Graduate
    • International
    • Indigenous
    • Returning to Trent
    • Transfer
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Trent Forward: COVID-19 Info
  • Apply
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Map
  • Careers
  • Directions
  • Library
  • Site Map
  • Bookstore
Skip to main content Home
  • Peterborough
  • Durham GTA
  • Online
  • MyTrent
MENU
Trent University
News and Events
  • Latest News
  • Trent Experts
  • For Media
  • For Faculty and Staff
  • Publications
  • Contact Us
  1. Trentu.ca
  2. News and Events

Chancellor Talks Technology and the Social Contract with Leanpub Co-founder Dr. Len Epp

December 20, 2018
Share This Story

Chancellor’s lecture intrigues and inspires students, faculty and community members

Don Tapscott taking a selfie with graduating Trent University students

At a standing-room only event, the Trent community was inspired by the forward-looking wisdom of chancellor Dr. Don Tapscott ’66 as he was interviewed by Leanpub co-founder Dr. Len Epp for the 2018 Chancellor’s Lecture.

The talk, titled “Towards a new social contract for the digital age,” delved into the technological divide that exists along generational lines. Dr. Tapscott referred to this not as a “generation gap” but instead what he termed “a ‘generation lap,’ where kids are lapping their parents on the digital track,” explaining that for the first time in history, young people are the experts on a subject reshaping our world.

“Today the 11-year-old at the breakfast table is an authority on this technology that is changing every institution in society,” said Dr. Tapscott. “I used to think that new media is going to be amazing, that the internet would bring us together because we’ll all have access to the truth.”

He also imagined, however, that we could end up in “self-reinforcing echo chambers,” where information wouldn’t inform us, but only give us comfort in our own preconceived points of view.

In the interview-style lecture, Dr. Tapscott went on to discuss the role technology will play in the creation of a new social contract: from building a social safety net; to dealing with climate change; to disrupting the labour market; to how blockchain has the potential to shape the ownership over our digital identities.

“Twenty-five students from my media class attended and were held enthrall by Len and Don, so much so, that they mobbed both speakers afterwards, and used quotations from the event in their final assignments and on the exam,” said Dr. Stephen Brown, professor of English Literature at Trent. “It was wonderful to have two natural teachers like Don and Len inspire our students.”

Listen to the full interview.

Find other stories about: Chancellor

Share This Story

You Might Also Like

Image of Dr. Jie Zhang, smiling at the camera.

Canada's Banking System: A Pillar of Strength Amidst Global Financial Turbulence

Graphic of "Trent Beat Making Headlines". Images include the Business and Higher Education Roundtable logo, gravel and water, Jalynn Bennett Amphitheatre opening, and Community Concierge program event at Trent.

Trent Beat: Career Experience, Community Connections

bobbie-anne smiles at the camera. she is standing with trees and grass in the background

Full-time Indigenous Support Staff at Trent Durham

Trent University logo
Challenge the Way You Think

Trent University respectfully acknowledges it is located on the treaty and traditional territory of the Mississauga Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to First Peoples for their care for, and teachings about, our earth and our relations. May we honour those teachings.

Peterborough

1600 West Bank Drive
Peterborough, ON Canada, K9L 0G2

Toll Free: 1-855-MY-TRENT

Campus Map

Durham Greater Toronto Area

55 Thornton Road South
Oshawa, ON Canada, L1J 5Y1

Phone: 905-435-5100

Campus Map

Social Media Directory
  • Contact
  • Directions
  • Site Map
  • Accessibility
  • @ Copyright 2023 Trent University