Merging Media and the Market

“Before you go and criticize the younger generation, just remember who raised them”

Unknown

I watched this very interesting feature on CBS news tonight about how technology is causing more than just a generational gap.  Some scientists are saying that technology is actually causing humans to evolve.  Apparently the younger, wired-generations, are failing to develop the normal people skills that are necessary to physically interact with other people in a business setting.  Technology utilizes different parts of our brains than traditional activities; which is causing younger generations to be unable to acceptably communicate with others on a personal basis (that is with out technology).  Younger generations would rather text someone than actually talk face-to-face with them. 

At any rate, researchers are actually finding that Generation Y’s brains seem to be functioning differently from other ‘unplugged’ generations.  The evolution that technology is causing is also making several companies to incorporate the needs and functionality of younger generations into their business policies.  Ernst & Young adopted a policy that allows employees to listen to their MP3 players in the work place and is also attempting to bridge the generational gap though diversity training. 

As such it is clear that technology not only changes our life but also our brains and ability to socially interact with each other.  The capabilities of cell phones and the fact that we’re buying our children these gadgets earlier and earlier only complicate the situation.  Whether the human technolution is a good or bad thing is yet to be decided.  However, it would seem that evolution through technology is inevitable for the American culture. 

Think ahead to when Generation Y is the oldest generation of consumers in the United States.  The ways in which technology has influenced Generation Y will seem marginal compared to that of generations yet to come.  So until this technolution we’re experiencing is complete, more and more companies will have to implement generational dynamics into their annual training efforts: and schedule a face-to-face meeting with each new employee to introduce concepts like … meeting face-to-face.

Till next time,

Arin