I will continue to argue that GenX is the only true technology literate generation because we grew up with the technology as it evolved. Future generations are more consumers not partners in the technology they own.
Yea it’s a vast generalization but Apple is a good analogy of this. Most people now just want “a technology that works” without any understanding or control over how it works. That’s a recipe for technological serfdom under the new generation of technocratic companies designed to own us.
Am I ever going to own a free phone? Probably not, but that doesn’t excuse me from at least understanding from a high level all the players involved in my phone and where they’re generating value from me.
I will continue to argue that GenX is the only true technology literate generation because we grew up with the technology as it evolved.
This is a terrible argument. Technology is always evolving. There have been like 10 different versions of Windows that I’ve used growing up as a millennial, across 3 different architectures, with huge advances in storage, memory, CPU speeds, and graphics processing - it’s pretty ignorant to dismiss all that and claim Gen X “grew up with the technology”. Like duh, every generation “grows up with the technology” of their generation.
I think the point I’ve seen elsewhere on this post is more accurate - every generation has some technologically literate people and some technologically illiterate people. Congrats, you happen to be literate, but I guarantee for every one of you, there’s also a Gen X’er that can barely function a computer enough to check their email. Just like the boomer generation, and the millennials, and even Gen Z and Alpha. This whole “XYZ generation is the most ABC” bullshit is just another way to create divides, and make people forget we’re all way more alike than we are different.
How did any generation not grow up with the technology as it evolved? Gen X did not invent computers, nor did the Boomers, but every generation made valuable contributions, just as Gen Z will. Again, it is the actions and ideas of gifted individuals that count.
I just want to echo your sentiment with something I’ve been saying here for a while now:
I will continue to argue that GenX is the only true technology literate generation because we grew up with the technology as it evolved. Future generations are more consumers not partners in the technology they own.
Yea it’s a vast generalization but Apple is a good analogy of this. Most people now just want “a technology that works” without any understanding or control over how it works. That’s a recipe for technological serfdom under the new generation of technocratic companies designed to own us.
Am I ever going to own a free phone? Probably not, but that doesn’t excuse me from at least understanding from a high level all the players involved in my phone and where they’re generating value from me.
This is a terrible argument. Technology is always evolving. There have been like 10 different versions of Windows that I’ve used growing up as a millennial, across 3 different architectures, with huge advances in storage, memory, CPU speeds, and graphics processing - it’s pretty ignorant to dismiss all that and claim Gen X “grew up with the technology”. Like duh, every generation “grows up with the technology” of their generation.
I think the point I’ve seen elsewhere on this post is more accurate - every generation has some technologically literate people and some technologically illiterate people. Congrats, you happen to be literate, but I guarantee for every one of you, there’s also a Gen X’er that can barely function a computer enough to check their email. Just like the boomer generation, and the millennials, and even Gen Z and Alpha. This whole “XYZ generation is the most ABC” bullshit is just another way to create divides, and make people forget we’re all way more alike than we are different.
How did any generation not grow up with the technology as it evolved? Gen X did not invent computers, nor did the Boomers, but every generation made valuable contributions, just as Gen Z will. Again, it is the actions and ideas of gifted individuals that count.
Older Millennial here. I also grew up as technology did. Thank you for reading my T.E.D. talk today.