Millennials.
I’ll bet when Neil Howe and William Strauss came up with that cute little phrase, they never anticipated this cool, futuristic sounding term, would become another lazy soundbite mainstream media would apply to generalise a generation of unique individuals.
Millennials (also known as Generation Y) are growing in numbers within the workforce, cultivating an increased mass of consumer power, so advertising companies have to find new methods of marketing to seduce the millennial consumer, as technology is increasingly drip fed into the valves of mainstream society.
There is no definitive information that pinpoints an exact time period millennials were birthed into this crazy existence, but it is safe to say millennials were young adults at the turn of the 21st century. Unfortunately this was probably at a time when *Nsync and the Backstreet Boys battled it out for boy band supremacy in the music charts.
I find the constant flow of negative criticism levelled at millennials exhausting, because individuals born into a time they had no control over are painted as a narcissistic group, who only truly express themselves through the filter of a smartphone, desperately yearning validation and will break out into an ice cold sweat if out of arms reach of a technological mobile device.
In 1962, J.C.R. Licklider had a concept known as the “Intergalactic Network” where he envisioned a global structure of computers that could connect and communicate with one another. Licklider’s forward-thinking would influence and eventually develop into something we call the Internet. The origins of the first mobile phone can be traced back to 1973, Atari released the first commercially available games console in 1975, which also happens to be the same year the first home computers became mainstream; the origin of first laptop can be pin pointed to 1981 and smartphones have been around for just over 20 years.
So if these technological innovations were created for people to use, in good conscience how can we blame millennials for using products that were created for them to enjoy? Television was successfully introduced to the masses in the 1920’s and I’ll bet that inventor John Logie Baird would be filled with unapparelled joy at the idea his invention would not only be utilised by millions of people throughout the world but would eventually go onto birth great content like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Westworld or the Real Housewives franchise?
I do have some genuine concerns about the fast paced nature of technology and its impact on social behaviour and human interaction, but I’m interested in the impact technology has on all members of society regardless of birth date. It’s undeniable that attempting to navigate the cyclone of digital media can be treacherous and there is no doubt that younger generations continually have more exposure to more content than the generation before, but it can’t be all bad…can it?
If it is, why do we tend to sit back and mock millennials and not generation X who were the parents and guardians? Does a millennial who was raised in the city have the same outlook as a millennial living in the country? Does a millennial from a middle eastern background have the same approach to technology as a millennial of oriental decent?
I don’t see why we should knock millennials, whose only crime was being born into a time where technology was not only more affordable but more accessible. There may be some noted negative effects associated with young adults who grew up at the turn of technological advancement, but I’ll bet there were more concerns to be had with the young adults who were born during the mid 19th century when sold out crowds were entertained by public executions.
Until next time.
P.S. As an added bonus if you feel that you want to asses exactly how millennial you are please feel free to partake in the quiz (the link is below)
I really agree with this, sometimes we’re belittled too much-and as you said, we are, after all, a product of our environment.
The older generation complain about how naive and self-obsessed young people are, and yet often, when they try to engage in intelligent conversation, they get told that their opinion is irrelevant.
If we want young adults to be respectable members of society, then we must first respect them. Great post! 🙂
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I think millennials get such a raw deal when they are living in a time like no other and are using technologies that for the most part where created before they were born. You’re 100% right in that prior generations should be less critical especially considering they did not have access to such technologies and forms of communication.
Thanks for the comment, here’s hoping that there is an attitude shift
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Times have changed, and instead of criticising, the older generations need to help us.
It’s no problem! I always enjoy reading your stuff 🙂
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I’m a Gen X, raising a Gen Z, and scored an 82 on the quiz, so maybe that makes me a Gen X Millennial.
I get tired of hearing about the label of the Millennials as well. They’re young, they’re spirited, and so what if their preferred method of communication is text and email. Personally, it’s mine too. Technology has opened the world to these young people. They will find their way just as we found ours.
A great, thought-provoking post, Tyrone. Thank you.
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I think we’re all a little millennial because technology has impacted all age groups and as you say they will find a way, just like each generation has. Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.
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Personally, I think it rarely works to generalize any group of people. We’re all individuals, at heart!
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I totally agree Ann, each and every one of us is totally unique, so it does drive me a little crazy when all these individuals are put into the same basket. Especially when the only real crime is using technology that was made to be used.
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Apparently I’m 95% Millennial. I suspect I would be 100% if I had a tattoo lol.
I never considered myself to be a Millennial, I thought they were younger than me, but as I was seventeen at the turn of the century then I guess I am!
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It was difficult trying to pinpoint an age range, but indeed you are! 😃 As for the tattoo? Never say never? lol! 😀
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I’m allergic to ink which is why I don’t have one, however I have been talking with a good artist who is looking into my options 🙂
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How weird, I thought I’d commented on this post ages ago! I had intended to.
Well, we’re of one mind, I think. It’s stupid and unproductive to take Millennials to task as so many do. Many of my generation, I’m ashamed to say, more than others. (Though we get it back, too!) Not only that but think of those who have – whether you like what they produced or not – have helped shape our online world, such as Matt Mullenweg who started WordPress (the software and the various WordPress sites only one of which we’re using), and Mark Zuckerberg who started Facebook. Both born in 1984, both Millennials.
I wrote a post last year that you might enjoy, Ty, the latter part in particular as I mention Millennials and how I feel about this ridiculous intolerance of them though it’s about ageism against my own generation, too. It’s here: https://quietseason.wordpress.com/2016/11/01/silver-hair-not-self/ (Had I not already shown that to you? See, my memory is bad!)
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Excuse my late response, but I agree with you Val many of us communicate and connect in very different ways because of the influence of Millennials. I think all ageism is bad and will definitely read (and comment) on the link that you gave to your post.
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