The Generational, Technological Black Hole

While these may sound like they coincide, they actually are two separate things that overlap with some gray area. Also the title is in a particular order as the generational differences are first an foremost the underlying issues at hand, the technology is just what makes it more convoluted and scary.

We are in the midst of a recession the likes of which we haven’t seen since well, The Great Depression of the late 1920’s. Is this how we want to be remembered though when we look back on this like a bottle of wine, “Oh yes, I remember 2010, that was a bad year.” The answer is no, because I won’t let it happen and neither should you.

Our Generation – I’m talking roughly about Gen-Y – is known for being rebellious, strong headed and misunderstood. We are the product of our parents generation who unfortunately didn’t grow up with the luxuries that we are so accustomed too, for instance our abundance of information thanks to the technology that binds us all together. We have grown up in a faster moving society then ever before and it will only continue as we move forwards because of the Law of Singularity, which states that “through a law of accelerating returns, technology is progressing toward the singularity at an exponential rate.” Gen-Y is only trying to assimilate itself to the current times but at the same time being bombarded by studies, research and corporations to try and get into our heads to see what makes us tick so in the end we can buy their products. It’s the sad truth but the truth of the capitalistic society that we live in.

Now, Technology only fuels and clouds everything I just talked about. It is true that we grew up with the Internet so to speak, so we “understand” and “get” it. Whatever that means is in the eye of the beholder based on what they want to hear. The BIGGEST misconception I hear day after day is that:

“Gen-Y is connected to the Internet at all times, loves to use social media and knows technology like the back of their hand.”

While the first part is generally true, the rest of the sentence is way off. Most of my friends don’t have a twitter account – let alone know what it is besides what they see on TV. They do Facebook though – a lot – but does that really count as social media if it is only posting pictures and comments on each others walls? I have found that it is actually the older generations and professional who use Social Media (Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn etc.) effectively because they think that we use it and want to profit from it.

So here is my Black Hole scenario:

1. Everyone wants to get in touch with Gen-Y through Social Media, which most of us don’t use. Statistics show this

2. Social Media “experts” teach us how to effectively use Social Media to accomplish step 1. It is generally older people teaching older people how to reach younger people.

3. By the time someone finally “understands” Social Media and how to use it, it is to late because a new technology comes out and Gen-Y has moved on.

4. A vicious circle of learning and trying to apply it. This is were you get lost in the Black Hole.

No one has all the answers because everything is constantly changing. If you are really passionate about Social Media or whatever it is that you might do, it is up to YOU to keep up to date on it and learn from other people. The “Black Hole” is not a bad thing to get sucked into as long as you don’t get lost. My advice to you is that “Nothing is as it appears to be” until you see it and feel it for yourself. Take everything at face value until you determine it’s validity for yourself.