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About the time I was pressing a crease in the top of my shirt sleeve a few weeks ago, the TV commentator’s words traveled directly to my gut. Now, a story in today’s New York Times puts an interesting bookend on my thoughts.

Should you back up a few steps?

It’s my habit to iron my own shirts. Has been since I joined the ranks of the professionals oh-so-many years ago. And like many who find unexpected inspiration in routines, it was my turn for a light bulb on this otherwise typical morning.

As she addressed the shakeup in the financial markets, this commentator (unfortunately, I didn’t write down her name) highlighted something I hadn’t yet grasped — the coming void of talent in innovation in the United States.

For years now, the highest-paying jobs have been in financial services and investments. More of the brightest minds in our country have gravitated to Wall Street because the rewards there were greater. No great surprise there. While not particularly revolutionary or insightful, her prescription for the problem was essentially a realignment of society’s reward system.

This perspective cracked opened a window in my head.

And, today, the New York Times features an article by John Markoff, which throws open the whole sash by asking a pretty big question, “Do we need a new Internet?”

Citing significant security concerns about the way the current network is structured, Markoff reports on several experts who believe it’s time to start over. They believe the next version of the Internet may require us to give up some privacy in order to maintain security. I’ve already seen Twitter traffic about whether or not this story is a scare tactic. Regardless of hype, the underlying motivation seems valid to me.

Some big hand in the sky has fingers on the “option” and “command” keys and is getting mighty close to pressing “escape” (substitute ctrl-alt-del if you are a PC).

Is it really time for a restart? Do we need to go back to square one in the societal reward structures? In the fundamental composition of our worldwide computer network?

I’m not the first to write about the reliance we all have on each other and the trust it takes to get through the day. Adrian posted a piece on interconnectedness that is still rattling around in my noggin. Umair has penned a post or two on the need for innovation if our global economy is to truly recover. And, I’m sure you could point me to countless other examples from much smarter people than me.

Ironically, the dearth of innovators, relative to the opportunities at hand, and the concept of starting over with the Web is oddly invigorating to me.

Perhaps it is a sign of the times. The inability to find permanence in anything but the most foundational concepts like family, friends and real relationships. I’m ready for the challenge.

In many ways, great marketing thinkers have long seen this change coming. Starting with the erosion of confidence post dot-com and culminating in the current economic recession, we are all familiar with the need to create authentic relationships.

However, this time it feels different.

Have you seen it coming? How are you going to innovate? Are you prepared to reinvent what seemed untouchable just a year ago? To sacrifice something short-term for long-term rewards?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.