Anthony Bradley

Recent studies such as Digital Youth Research and “New-Generation Workers Want Technology Their Way, Accenture Survey Finds” strive to understand today’s youth and how they use technology, especially for collaboration. Call them digital natives, millennials, the MySpace Generation, generation IM or make up your own term because everyone is focused on what the kids are doing these days. One negative side effect of all of this is the constant reminder that, as a Gen Xer, I am no longer considered a youth. Though, I think I am and am pretty sure I can get my wife to attest to my lack of maturity.

Combine this obsession over youth computing behaviors with articles like Kontain Isn’t Your Father’s Blogging Platform (But It Wants to Be) about a new blog technology targeting us backwards adults and the apparent switch in knowledge transfer seems complete. We parents no longer pass knowledge on to our children but instead must absorb their wisdom. Am I the only one that sees the problem here?

I’m certainly not saying that generational change doesn’t matter. But let’s not overdo it. Let’s focus on new behavioral patterns and their applicability and potential rather than labeling a demographic and trying to treat anyone born between 198? and 199? as if they all had the same personality, capabilities, goals, likes, dislikes, etc. 

Enterprises do have to think about how they will recruit and retain young talent but only by approaching new technologies from the standpoint of increased productivity. The new generation may be a prompter but the reason is increasing business value.

OK, if you must obsess then obsess over youthful behaviors. Then I will relate. Isn’t age a state of mind anyway?

Who knows, then you might even get some of us post boomers to be more productive. Of course you must get us off our e-mail addiction to do it

Forget about the baby boomers. They’re a lost cause.

Just kidding.