I'm a first year generation Y. I'm right at that point where I'm comfortable with most tech, but recall a time when www didn't exist in the popular mindset (7th grade i believe) and even when cell phones weren't ubiquitous.
The clash between generations is always interesting. I fondly recall a series of great rants from George Carlin where he disses the Baby Boomers. There is method in this, as each generation is raised by the last (or probably one before last). There is partly a reverse trickle of responsibility; certain mannerisms and pitfalls of one generation being the direct result of how the collective-stereotypical behaviors of the entire generation before them influenced and guided their upbringing.
I recall a time when i had a helicopter parent. It was around 4th grade. Parents are allowed to help you with your homework up to a certain point, but i find it ridiculous that a parent would choose their child's classes in college. College is supposed to be the short period in life where a child learns to be self sufficient and transmogrify themselves into an adult!
It's easy to look at the founders of microsoft, facebook, napster, and other famous success stories and want to drop out of college, but these are the few rare people who are willing to risk everything in a carpe-diem-esque attempt to hit the jackpot. How many people drop out of college to get their big start up going only to ultimately fail? There is no easy money.
I think Hawaii is an especially extreme case in heli-parenting. The cost of living here mandates a boomerang-generation of adults, and traditional paths to self-sufficiency rooted in home equity are practically nil here. I'm amazed when i chat with my cousins and other mainland friends and hear how calm they are about planning to buy a house. Being able to survive in hawaii's economic climate requires nepitism and guidance. It's not like we can drive to another state and try to become independent there.
Ah well, this we pretty stream of consciousness. Hope some of it is of use in highlighting a GenY's point of view.
Also, 2 bonus points for the Leary coffee reference!
Dan, thanks for the well-written and thoughtful comment about my rant! I am not in George Carlin's league. His 2003 New Year's Eve show at the Blaisdell is one of my favorite live events ever, and that man can rant.
You've got a great point about Honolulu. We're not alone here. I've seen similar behavior at expensive prep schools and in much larger cities like New York City and Atlanta. There's an entitlement mentality that takes hold in grammar school. By the time some of these students get to college, they cannot fend for themselves.
I have met and taught many undergraduate and graduate students who were able to think and do for themselves in college. I'd like to think that "helicopter entitlement" affects a small minority of workers and students.
Peter Kay
· 1 year ago
Great post, Bill! I, like you, feel like I'm absolutely right on the edge of the cliff in terms of generational technology acumen.
At 45, I feel that the majority of those 5 or more years older are eons behind, techapp wise, and those 5 or more years younger are way ahead of the curve.
http://www.HawaiiConCon.org might be a little ahead of its time in that it appeals more to the facebook/myspace crowd than it does to the email/AOL crowd, but I'm hoping that it might be a good way to introduce those older than I to a way of interacting they may want to try out.
We'll see.
Keep it up man!
Nina
· 1 year ago
Very interesting read. Older generations who are open and receptive to new things ease the generation gap. Check out my post on a similar topic:
All Comments
The clash between generations is always interesting. I fondly recall a series of great rants from George Carlin where he disses the Baby Boomers. There is method in this, as each generation is raised by the last (or probably one before last). There is partly a reverse trickle of responsibility; certain mannerisms and pitfalls of one generation being the direct result of how the collective-stereotypical behaviors of the entire generation before them influenced and guided their upbringing.
I recall a time when i had a helicopter parent. It was around 4th grade. Parents are allowed to help you with your homework up to a certain point, but i find it ridiculous that a parent would choose their child's classes in college. College is supposed to be the short period in life where a child learns to be self sufficient and transmogrify themselves into an adult!
It's easy to look at the founders of microsoft, facebook, napster, and other famous success stories and want to drop out of college, but these are the few rare people who are willing to risk everything in a carpe-diem-esque attempt to hit the jackpot. How many people drop out of college to get their big start up going only to ultimately fail? There is no easy money.
I think Hawaii is an especially extreme case in heli-parenting. The cost of living here mandates a boomerang-generation of adults, and traditional paths to self-sufficiency rooted in home equity are practically nil here. I'm amazed when i chat with my cousins and other mainland friends and hear how calm they are about planning to buy a house. Being able to survive in hawaii's economic climate requires nepitism and guidance. It's not like we can drive to another state and try to become independent there.
Ah well, this we pretty stream of consciousness. Hope some of it is of use in highlighting a GenY's point of view.
Also, 2 bonus points for the Leary coffee reference!
Dan, thanks for the well-written and thoughtful comment about my rant! I am not in George Carlin's league. His 2003 New Year's Eve show at the Blaisdell is one of my favorite live events ever, and that man can rant.
You've got a great point about Honolulu. We're not alone here. I've seen similar behavior at expensive prep schools and in much larger cities like New York City and Atlanta. There's an entitlement mentality that takes hold in grammar school. By the time some of these students get to college, they cannot fend for themselves.
I have met and taught many undergraduate and graduate students who were able to think and do for themselves in college. I'd like to think that "helicopter entitlement" affects a small minority of workers and students.
At 45, I feel that the majority of those 5 or more years older are eons behind, techapp wise, and those 5 or more years younger are way ahead of the curve.
http://www.HawaiiConCon.org might be a little ahead of its time in that it appeals more to the facebook/myspace crowd than it does to the email/AOL crowd, but I'm hoping that it might be a good way to introduce those older than I to a way of interacting they may want to try out.
We'll see.
Keep it up man!
http://blog.snaptalent.com/?p=13