Apr 09 07
They’re Baaaaack!
By Renn Vara
We have a new blog coming to SNP called Digital Natives (note previous blog, Digital Natives vs. Immigrants). Its impending launch and two young authors remind me of my ongoing personal battle with pets peeves. Things like people driving slow in the fast lane, or not being congenial when I pass by during my morning run, or my wife and teenage kids failing to pick up their dirty laundry.
Through the years, one of my biggest peeves has been 20-something males who think they are smarter and wiser than the rest of us, adorned with artsy eye wear and hip, shiny shoes. These “kids” think that their genetic intelligence is blessed by insights from the god of technology. That those of us with no hair and 40-50 plus years on the earth are good for nothing but writing checks. Sure, these kids launched a revolution that changed the world and created the foundation for things like Google, YouTube, and NetFlix. I’ll give them that…But back to my peeve. They were the guys who rode the waves of the dotcom tsunami and fell just as far. While we all grieved with the implosion, we didn’t for them. Their downfall was the only bright spot. Ok, so I’m being mean.
Well, I’m here to announce their return. Their eye wear seems to be gone and they’re nicer to us old guys. But the “blessed by the god of technology” is still there in full bloom, successfully hiding their young-buck arrogance and snotty demeanor that I know is still there and will bubble up to the surface at some point. All their new found genial behavior and less strident ways don’t fool me. I see right through them. Same guys, different decade.
They do seem a bit more grounded than the previous dotcom gang, and they do bring a unique comfort with technology and the practical application of innovation to real business. So what? You can be sure I’ll keep my eyes peeled for the inevitable break in their facade. Mano a mano.
And guess what? We now have a few on staff here at SNP. Yep. They talked their way in, made friends, and impressed us with their competence and impeccable customer service. And guess what else? They’re launching a new blog on our site. Working title: Digital Natives. I call it Snotty Nose Punks (SNP). It fits.
Be on the lookout for their blog. They plan to “educate” us on technology, lightly chastise us for our intellectual deficiencies, and move us – kicking and screaming - into the 2.0 world. I sure hope I don’t have to add this newer, kinder, more practical, and less arrogant 20 something male to my growing list of pet peeves. Until then, I’ll work to appreciate their insights and attempts at wisdom. Maybe it won’t be that bad after all. Guys, get started.
My age puts me somewhere in the middle - I learned BASIC in elementary (middle?) school; Anybody else remember “GOTO Row 15″… and drawing that turtle? - so, I was introduced to “controlling” technology at a young age. But, today, a five year old could easily out-program me. That’s fine: I’m not going to learn it; there are others who can do it faster and better. But, I would like to at least learn the same language - from all those cutesy blog acronyms to the “big” words that get thrown around. I may not speak it, but it sure would be nice to understand it. That way, maybe we can work together to turn those technology-thingamabobs into solutions. Digital Natives - teach me.
Thanks for your post. Good attitude. The point for those of us who are immigrants is to be open to the digital natives. Learn from them. We’ll all enjoy the education.
As one of the older immigrants that emigrated prior to the birth of many of the natives, I find that experience is frequently not respected by the natives. Even though our views on technology, its uses and future may be similar, in my lacking some of the technical skills of the natives I find that I often get that same look I reserved for my Mother when she complained of the “noise” of the Beatles. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.
And so it goes. The arrogance of the young stands side by side with the old who forget what it’s like to be young. My humble advice; use your elder wisdom and exercise patience with your young natives. Don’t let those looks bug you. Just hang out and wait for that coming moment to teach. Thanks for posting.
I must admit, I’m an immigrant in technology (among other things). But after reading Marc’s comment, I realized that I turn into one of those snotty-nosed punks when older members of my family ask me to explain anything about technology. Perhaps it’s the feeling that I get when I realize I actually get something. It’s kind of empowering.
On behalf of the 20 somethings or the “natives” I would like to say that our “arrogance” is not intentional. It might come off that way, but the slight impatient undertone that you pick up on, is a result of hearing about the everyday given as “revolutionary”. It’s like hearing that cell -phone is changing the way we communicate. (For those who remember days before the cell phone, I apologize again for the undertone…) Let’s take MySpace and blogs for example. We’ve had this “social media” system since high school — nearly seven years ago (which to us, feels like a lifetime). The fact that everyone speaks of it “evolutionary way of connecting with our peers” is odd to hear. With that said, I’d like to take a moment to reassure the immigrants that we do empathize with them. The difference is that while we’re aware that the way we communicate is changing, we’re just used to the pace.
Oh and I forgot to mention, I’m pretty sure that my glasses are the same as the ones in the picture — so you’re not completely wrong in judging us…
Your glasses aside, you make good points re the “revolution.” But think about this way. Corporate applications of “social networking” are new. It’s tough for corporate leaders to justify the adoption of MySpace or FaceBook, nor should they, so finding ways of applying the concepts without the “social” took a little more time than expected. But your points are well made. Thanks for posting.