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Friday afternoon as I was sitting in the office, I caught an exchange that got me wondering if despite all our immodesty and confidence that perhaps Gen Y has a soft spot for criticism, particularly when it comes to blogging.
It all began with this tweet:
@AlexJMann: You know “Gen Y” blogging has become a farce when the unemployed are giving career advice. It brings irony to a whole new level.
And then the fireworks started:
[Note: I've cleaned out the RTs and @replies to make this a bit more readable.]
@CarlosMic: Amen!
@BlakeSunshine: I think that’s a pretty unfair generalization. I’m a Gen-Y blogger with a real job too.
@JRMoreau: Agreed. I think that’s a pretty unfair generalization.
@ImNickArmstrong: Agreed. Hucksters abound, but that sort of generalization is bone stupid, Alex.
@Carol_Phillips: I agree as well [with JR, Nick, and Blake]
@AlexJMann: Blake, You have a job. Great, you’re not my target. The unemployed kid writing career top ten lists–I’ll call bullshit every time.
@BlakeSunshine: Fair enough, but don’t call all Gen-Y blogging a farce
Holy cow!
So what do we think, folks? Is this an example of a generation that is overly sensitive about criticisms of its own norms while it doesn’t hesitate to tear down the norms of previous generations? Or is it a fair defense against an unreasonable charge?
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Comments
10.16.09
I'd say it's an example of oversensitivity. However, I'm not sure how unusual that makes it. You should see how defensive the Baby Boomer in the office next door to me gets, for example. I'm sure plenty of Gen X-ers (sometimes, no doubt, even me) do the same about our generation.
So the next question is this: what merits a response? Did this? What did the responses accomplish?
10.16.09
The original tweet is a ridiculous premise anyway. There is nothing wrong with business blogging when one is unemployed. Just because you don't have a job at that exact moment doesn't mean you don't have any knowledge or experience to contribute to the conversation. I don't think Gen Y is so much over-sensitive as they are cognizant of blogging's inherent benefits. I blogged while I was unemployed, and I guarantee there are plenty of others who have kept blogging, despite a layoff, a firing, or even just quitting.
Blogging helps us sort through our thoughts and put them into cohesive ideas to be digested and responded to. On top of that, it is like a living breathing resume of qualifications that gets stronger every time you add to it, and that's an amazing tool for someone who is unemployed. For these reasons and others, it is ridiculous to tear someone down for blogging about careers and business while they are temporarily out of work.
10.16.09
David I agree. Blogging is a way for us to connect, share and network. Who cares if you are temporarily out of work - often that has very little to do with why you are unemployed in the first place (considering the economic times). We all have something of value and bloggers are not afraid to be transparent and put it out there. The original tweet and most of the discussion was completely irrelevant.
10.19.09
As a recent fan of the blogging universe, I am really in favor of all types of expression...especially when it comes to careers and networking and all that type of thing! It is especially helpful for those that are without/looking for work or those like me that have a job but absolutely cannot stand it.
Hearing from your peers through their own lenses is extremely helpful.
It gives opportunity for us to build skills throughout the random paths that our jobs take.
Thanks!
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