Generational Gap

What's really going on? I honestly can't explain it, but some people from previous generations refuse to accept the benefits of Web 2.0. For example, over the summer while in the car with one of my parents friends, she began to blatantly criticize the use of Web 2.0. All she did was talk about the negative reports that she had heard about Facebook & Twitter. However, you can't judge a book or movie just by what the critics say.

While we were really slow at work the other day, I took the time to add to an unfinished blog post on my personal blog. While I was writing, one of my co-workers brought up social media, but he was even more critical than my parents friend. This guy is maybe in his late 30s, but he was completely against Web 2.0. So I saw this as the perfect opportunity to defend it based on what we have been discussing in our Capstone class. FAIL! He would not listen to any point that I tried to make. I tried to explain to him about personal branding and how businesses are moving online, but he completely disagreed. Below I will list some of his main issues with Web 2.0, and then I will share my response for each one.

#1- Blogging

He was completely against blogging because he didn't see the need to share all of your information with the public. Why should I allow a stranger from a random place in the world in my life? That was basically his philosophy. I began to explain to him that my blog originated because of my interest in keeping people updated about my internship experience in Los Angeles, and that it turned into a motivational/inspirational blog that encourages people to reach for their dreams. He said that if he wanted to write a diary or journal he would just buy one.

#2 - Facebook/Twitter

His main reason for not using Facebook/Twitter was because it sounded like he just didn't care about what other people were doing. However, he also didn't see why he needed to share his information with people he rarely talks to anymore. He says everybody has about 4-6 close friends, and those friends are the only ones that he needs to tell about his life. I personally see it as another way to network. Also, it can help you reconnect with people from your past and people you just met. For example, Facebook is one of the only ways that I keep in touch with the people I worked with this summer. Of course I could still e-mail them, but e-mail is not what it used to be. I tried so hard to convince him that there were many benefits to social media, but he just wouldn't listen.

#3 Personal Branding

This topic hit a nerve because he basically said that personal branding was stupid. Since this is the trend I am following, "How we use Web 2.0 to brand ourselves online," I was ready to let him know exactly how I felt. Even though I explained to him that in this generation employers are now moving online and learning about people before they even hire them, he wouldn't change his mind. He told me that personal branding is perfect for the industry that I am planning on entering, but not for the average person. Then one of my other co-workers jumped in to defend his claim. I am still a little upset about this defeat.

Anyway, I didn't win the debate, but I will not let it be over. I need some good thoughts to take back to work so that I can convince him that Web 2.0 is not going anywhere and he needs to hop aboard before he gets left behind. Help me guys! I really want to win this debate. I know I can win because there are many points that could really make him think. Check out this article below that talks about someone else who became frustrated with the generational gap.


The Generation Gap