Internet Research Mogul and C.W. Post Alumnus Lee Rainie Delivers Keynote Address at C.W. Post Commencement

Brookville , NY —Renowned Internet anthropologist Lee Rainie delivered the keynote address at the May 10 commencement ceremony for the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. A graduate of Harvard University and C.W. Post, Rainie is the director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan “fact tank” that studies the social impact of the Internet.

As one who has his finger on the pulse of tech culture, Rainie gave a speech that parodied “25 Random Things About Me”- the Facebook® phenomenon in which individuals divulge their personal quirks to their friends- and proceeded to tell the graduates “25 Things” that set their generation apart.

“You are giving birth to a new kind of culture that is more vibrant because it has led to an explosion of new voices,” said Rainie, addressing 2,600 students in the class of 2009. “Fresh forms of music; novel kinds of language; varied pathways to community-building; and far-out – sometimes pretty twisted – forms of humor.”

Rainie would know. The Pew Internet & American Life Project examines how Internet use affects people's relationships, health care decisions, educational pursuits, civic and political activities and careers. Based on its surveys of online activities, the Project has issued more than 200 reports exploring the role of the Internet in daily life and discussing related issues including online privacy and intellectual property rights. All of its reports and datasets are available online for free at www.pewinternet.org.

Prior to launching the Pew Internet Project, Rainie served as managing editor of U.S. News & World Report. Before assuming the role of managing editor, he covered politics for the magazine and served as an editor for science and national coverage.

A much sought-after commentator on the trends and attitudes that shape the American cultural landscape and inform public policy, Rainie has been a guest analyst on numerous television and radio programs and has shared his insights with media outlets including The Associated Press, The Washington Post, The New York Times and The Economist.

Rainie is a co-author of “Up for Grabs: The Future of the Internet”; “Hopes and Fears: The Future of the Internet, Volume 2”; and the upcoming “Ubiquity, Mobility, Security: The Future of the Internet, Volume 3.” He also is collaborating with sociologist Barry Wellman on a book about the social impact of technology that will be published by MIT Press in 2010.

Rainie holds a bachelor's degree in government from Harvard College and a master's degree in political science from C.W. Post. “When I got my degree here in 1977, there is no way I could have envisioned a path that 30 years later would have had me running a research organization that looks at how people use the internet and cell phones,” said Rainie.

Rainie, while acknowledging the importance of technology, also encouraged the students to “unplug” once in a while, and enjoy life.

“I hope as you are uploading your creations and leaving behind some large digital footprints, you are conscious that this material all becomes part of the gospel of you,” said Rainie. “So, by all means, use these technologies to create a grand gospel of you. And please take time to upload a couple of reminders about this day at this place. Your gospel and this university are now linked. I hope you cherish the connection as much as we all cherish you.”