DISQUS

nickmilton · 3 months ago

You can find some data regarding generational differences on my blog here http://www.nickmilton.com/2009/05/does-age-have... and these data seem to suggest there is minimal difference between the generations when it comes to attitudes towards knowledge seeking and knowledge sharing

VMaryAbraham · 3 months ago

Thanks very much, Nick. In some ways, it's a relief to know that the attitudes to knowledge seeking and sharing are relatively constant. Not like attitudes to the technology we peddle.

- Mary

GRT500 · 3 months ago

Interesting article, but it’s missing an important part of the equation: Generation Jones (born 1954-1965, between the Boomers and Generation X). Google Generation Jones, and you’ll see it’s gotten a ton of media attention, and many top commentators from many top publications and networks (Washington Post, Time magazine, NBC, Newsweek, ABC, etc.) now specifically use this term. In fact, the Associated Press' annual Trend Report forecast the Rise of Generation Jones as the #1 trend of 2009. Here's a page with a good overview of recent media interest in GenJones: http://generationjones.com/2009latest.html

It is important to distinguish between the post-WWII demographic boom in births vs. the cultural generations born during that era. Generations are a function of the common formative experiences of its members, not the fertility rates of its parents. Many experts now believe it breaks down more or less this way:

DEMOGRAPHIC boom in babies: 1946-1964
Baby Boom GENERATION: 1942-1953
Generation Jones: 1954-1965
Generation X: 1966-1978

VMaryAbraham · 3 months ago

In fairness to Jason Dorsey, while he provided the rough date ranges for the various generations, he did say that the type of parenting received, together with shared formative experiences, had a greater impact on defining a generation than mere birth date.

Thanks for the information on Generation Jones (GenJones?).

- Mary