"Generation C" – A New Name for Millennials?
2 Dec, 2008 | Written by Andrew Krzmarzick | under Uncategorized
I was just about to post a PowerPoint on Gen X and the Millennials over at SlideShare and came upon this impressive and informative deck that I thought you’d enjoy:
UPDATE on 12/3: I decided to add my own slides that I used for a presentation at the Mid-Atlantic Telework Advisory Council (MATAC) annual event a couple months ago:
Whatever you want to call this generation or the mentality of early social media adopters, we/they are demanding to be treated differently based on their preferences and proficiencies.
Thank you for visiting the Generation Shift blog! I look forward to interacting with you as we work together to promote the power of four generations, social media and flexible work environments to transform the public and social sectors.
Ari Herzog | December 3rd, 2008 at 2:50 am #
My understanding is millennials chose their name, not anyone else; so I don’t foresee Generation C going vogue.
That said, your deck here reminds me of a recent blog post of mine: Describing Social Media in 68 Words Beginning with C.
Andrew Krzmarzick | December 3rd, 2008 at 8:34 am #
Hi Ari,
Millennials, Generation X, Boomers, Veterans – whatever you call the generations, it seems that sociologists and similar folks give them these “official” names. The “Generation C” moniker is a self-designation from a member of that generation. While the common definitions are helpful for discussion and training (which I do on this subject), the fact that you and this other member of Generation C (which is more a mentality than an age cohort) are using “C” words to describe social media and those who use it is noteworthy.
In fact, what I REALLY like about the slide show is that it allows for people up to 35 to be considered part of this “Generation C”, while a more traditional cut-off is 28 years old (those born after 1980). I think social media is creating a hybrid generation among Gen X and Millennials that crosses artificial age boundaries.
Thanks for your thoughts.
jessiex | June 9th, 2010 at 8:43 am #
i think it’s kinda natural that one generation is the powerhouse behind bringing a technology into a market/culture, but the gen behind it transforms how it is used. a more history-buff type person could probably figure out the dates, but just thinking about it: boomers grew up on tv (via adults and a prior gen) but as adults themselves made tv all about messaging/morals/platforms for values.
as adults boomers were much of the powerhouse of the computer industry, but it was genxers who made computers and internet about commerce.
the relationship doesn’t make a generation. the opposite, actually. it confuses the concept of generations and how each gen’s core personality traits challenge, complement and transform others around them.
read strauss and howe for generational theory.
then APPLY it rather than trying to create theory out of personal perspective. much more value and contribution to the conversation from APPLYING theory rather than creating it.