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For the Net Gen, technology is the air we breathe
By Wu Jiayin |
July 11, 2009, Saturday
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THE book "Grown Up Digital" by Don Tapscott presents an unrealistically rosy picture of the Net Generation.
The Net Generation (or "Net Gen"), refers to the first generation to grow up immersed in digital technology (born 1977 to 1997).
Members of this generation are often criticized for their addiction to computers, which are said to have rotted their brains, destroyed their social skills and so on.
Tapscott attempts to refute such popular accusations by basing his arguments on a US$4 million, multi-year research project that included nearly 10,000 interviews.
While he is persuasive in explaining the supportive research, his own reasoning is often much less compelling. In particular, his clear over-generalization of the Net Gen largely weakens his arguments.
Tapscott sensibly recognizes the influence of computers and the Internet on the Net Geners.
As he observes, for the Net Geners, "technology is like air," necessary but invisible. And they can hardly imagine living without it.
Since members of this generation are immersed in computer technology their whole lives, they are far more adept than earlier generations.
"To this generation, the Internet is like the fridge. They don't belabor the nuts and bolts of its operation; it's just part of life," Tapscott notes.
So when using the new media, rather than being passive receivers, Net Geners are more active.
For example, they're more likely to use their cell phones as everything from alarm clocks to GPS devices, which is rarely the case with their earlier generations.
Many of them use computers to make friends and exchange information. Some also strive to have a say in their social or political life by way of the Internet.
It is no exaggeration to say that computer technology has enabled the young generation to push for changes they want without even going outdoors.
"The Net Gener who wants to change the world now has not only a digital printing press but the equivalent of a million volunteers to pass the flyers from friend to friend," Tapscott says.
But Tapscott has overstated the benefits of computer technology on the Net Gen.
For instance, Tapscott argues that video games have benefited the Net Gen, turning a blind eye to the problem of many young people's addiction to video games.
I can't help taking with a grain of salt Tapscott's assertion that by playing video games, the young improve hand-eye coordination, and are more effective decision makers and collaborators.
Though admitting that over-dependence on computers may result in a decline in memorization skills, Tapscott finds the problem of little importance and asserts that one needs only to know how to search and evaluate what one finds.
"It's not what you know that counts anymore; it's what you can learn," Tapscott emphasizes.
However, what's the use of your ability to learn if you cannot even remember what you have learned?
Perhaps the biggest shortcoming is Tapscott's failure to recognize the diversity of people who fall into the Net Generation category.
Tapscott lists several norms that he believes are shared by Net Geners and unify them as a generation.
However, some so-called norms, such as demanding speed, more willingness to collaborate, and the constant anticipation of innovative products, do not necessarily apply to the majority of this generation. Nor do the norms distinguish the Net Geners from earlier generations.
"The book treats this generation as a single block; they are all well educated, Western leaning, capitalism supporting, environmentally conscious individuals. Such stereotyping does not take into account the fact that any generation is made up of diverse people, with different backgrounds, needs and ambitions," comments one reader, M. McDonald, on www.amazon.com.
That's to the point.
The Net Generation (or "Net Gen"), refers to the first generation to grow up immersed in digital technology (born 1977 to 1997).
Members of this generation are often criticized for their addiction to computers, which are said to have rotted their brains, destroyed their social skills and so on.
Tapscott attempts to refute such popular accusations by basing his arguments on a US$4 million, multi-year research project that included nearly 10,000 interviews.
While he is persuasive in explaining the supportive research, his own reasoning is often much less compelling. In particular, his clear over-generalization of the Net Gen largely weakens his arguments.
Tapscott sensibly recognizes the influence of computers and the Internet on the Net Geners.
As he observes, for the Net Geners, "technology is like air," necessary but invisible. And they can hardly imagine living without it.
Since members of this generation are immersed in computer technology their whole lives, they are far more adept than earlier generations.
"To this generation, the Internet is like the fridge. They don't belabor the nuts and bolts of its operation; it's just part of life," Tapscott notes.
So when using the new media, rather than being passive receivers, Net Geners are more active.
For example, they're more likely to use their cell phones as everything from alarm clocks to GPS devices, which is rarely the case with their earlier generations.
Many of them use computers to make friends and exchange information. Some also strive to have a say in their social or political life by way of the Internet.
It is no exaggeration to say that computer technology has enabled the young generation to push for changes they want without even going outdoors.
"The Net Gener who wants to change the world now has not only a digital printing press but the equivalent of a million volunteers to pass the flyers from friend to friend," Tapscott says.
But Tapscott has overstated the benefits of computer technology on the Net Gen.
For instance, Tapscott argues that video games have benefited the Net Gen, turning a blind eye to the problem of many young people's addiction to video games.
I can't help taking with a grain of salt Tapscott's assertion that by playing video games, the young improve hand-eye coordination, and are more effective decision makers and collaborators.
Though admitting that over-dependence on computers may result in a decline in memorization skills, Tapscott finds the problem of little importance and asserts that one needs only to know how to search and evaluate what one finds.
"It's not what you know that counts anymore; it's what you can learn," Tapscott emphasizes.
However, what's the use of your ability to learn if you cannot even remember what you have learned?
Perhaps the biggest shortcoming is Tapscott's failure to recognize the diversity of people who fall into the Net Generation category.
Tapscott lists several norms that he believes are shared by Net Geners and unify them as a generation.
However, some so-called norms, such as demanding speed, more willingness to collaborate, and the constant anticipation of innovative products, do not necessarily apply to the majority of this generation. Nor do the norms distinguish the Net Geners from earlier generations.
"The book treats this generation as a single block; they are all well educated, Western leaning, capitalism supporting, environmentally conscious individuals. Such stereotyping does not take into account the fact that any generation is made up of diverse people, with different backgrounds, needs and ambitions," comments one reader, M. McDonald, on www.amazon.com.
That's to the point.
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