"Shift Happens" is a presentation that shows how fast technology is driving the direction of our lives...and how the balance of power and money is and will continue to shift outside the U.S. It gives the world and in particular, Americans a much broader view on the intersection and impact of technology on learning, society and commerce.

Originally created by Karl Fisch, Scott McLeod, and Jeff Brenman, it started out as a Powerpoint presentation for a faculty meeting in August 2006 at Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, United States. It "went viral"  in February 2007 and, as of today, the old and new versions of the presentation have been seen by at least 20 million people, not including others who have seen it at conferences, workshops, and other venues.

Some have questioned the exact statistics. I wouldn't get too hung up if we can discern how many couples actually met online, for example; but to focus on its general irrefutable message: how profoundly technology has and will continue to change our lives. We cannot deny it is the greatest accelerator of change and pace of life today. It is also the great equalizer, leveling the playing field in terms of distribution of power and information.

The key is understanding what your choices are - and making those choices. How do you best leverage technology? What kind of boundaries do you put around technology? What is the pace of change you can effectively assimilate - for your life or business - where you stay challenged and yet centered amidst the storm of chaos and change? Within this accelerated technostorm, we always have choice - to stay plugged in or to unplug - in service of a sane yet current existence. These are the central questions of our times.