By Cecille Recio, 12/06/2018

Me 

I am in my mid 50’s and looking at today’s way of life, it is so different from 5, 10, 20 years ago.  Today we have the technology, we are so attached to our computers and Smartphones. Our finances, schedules, vacation plans, documents and even our most precious photographs in it, without these technologies we are completely lost. 

I was in a restaurant, about to have dinner and I noticed across our table a family, mom and dad, and 2 young ladies.  They were quiet, they were on their smartphones.  Only when the food arrived, that they start talking, not to each other, one of the young ladies took a picture of her food, while the other was taking selfies. Mom and Dad started to eat, but the smartphone on hand, occasionally checking it.  Sounds familiar?

Smartphones, computers – what do we do without them?

We do everything with our technology.  Our day starts and ends with it.  Imagine your day when the internet is down or no Wifi access.

Technology has plenty of benefits,  from education, business, rearing up our children,  all the ”how to or DIY”  and don’t forget, dating too.  It has made our life easy, but are there any negative aspects?

The Alphabet Gens’

GEN X: The Forgotten Generation (1965 – 1979)

Generation Xs were like the middle child. The baby boomers and the millennials have sucked up all the oxygen in the room. Gen X’s are the generation who are taking care of the boomers and the millennials at the same time. They work hard and play hard.  They have money, resources and influence.

Gen Y: The Millenials (1980 – 1994)

I have two boys, and they are in their 20’s and early 30”s.  Their generation did not start with technology, but they were eventually reared up with it.  They had phones and computers. They play games with Nintendos with friends, but they have to come over to the house. There were no online games yet.  They are the last generation to play outside.   They were both in high school when they started their social interaction online, they stay late at night talking to their friends. As they grew up to be the young gentlemen they are, it is quite evident that they are very technology savvy. They are quick with information. They are more informed of what is going on around the world and are not afraid to voice out their opinion.  They are environmentally conscious, and they are quite involved with politics too.  They are more liberal and more accepting of cultural differences and appreciate each individuals identity and not assimilate them under the dominant culture. They are far more adventurous. They travel with their backpacks rather than luggage. This generation is highly educated.

Gen Zs: (1995 and 2015)

Technology with Gen Z’s is a way of life.  They were born connected with technology and they would not know anything without it.  They are with their smartphone’s at all times.  They breathe, eat and sleep with technology.  Their social interaction and their lifestyle are online.  This generation can take technology to farther heights.

Being Resourceful

However, it has been said the kids today (the Millennials, Gen Zs) are slow with critical thinking.  They say they are lazy? (Not trying to stereotype)  OR it is just because information is accessible and a click away, versus I, a Baby Boomer (born in November 1963, basically 13 months early to be considered Gen X. I confess, I identify more with them than the Boomers) who was brought up with limited resources, encyclopaedia was the “go to” for information. When resources are scarce or not readily available, we were taught to make do or modify, use what is around us, be innovative and create our own resource.  Although, there’s also the environment we were brought up to consider. 

The boomers and Gen Xs worked hard to get to where they are today. Most made money and are comfortable. In raising children, they want them to have the advantage in life. They made sure they were sent to the best school they can afford. Provide them with everything they need, including all the technology, vacations, clothes, cars and a generous allowance. We spoiled them.

The Future

Today, we go to the mall not to shop anymore, we go there for the experience. Our mall has become a destination for culture and entertainment.  We can have champagne brunch with friends and family, and when finish we can stroll or my favourite activity of all, watch people. 

At home, we have Alexa or Google to let you know the weather or if you want a certain information you just ask them. If we are not home we have a doorbell, The Ring to help us accept packages. We get our instant news,  pay people we owe or order anything we need, including groceries without leaving our home or while we are at work or anywhere via an App. We wear watches to monitor our heart rate and blood pressure. We cook with the recipe being read to us, we can play an instrument with someone across the world. Seem far-fetched? It is happening, in real time.  

The point is we may be responsible in the way Millennials and Gen Zs are today. Baby Boomers were born post-war. The world was just rebuilding a new life.  It is catching up with progress.  The Gen Xs continue the building of progress, the millennials and Gen Zs has inherited that progress which enables them to take us to the new era, build our new future. With the innovation of technology, the new industry of automation and digitalisation, they are changing the world, making it borderless. 

We rely so much on technology and it can have a detrimental effect on our health, our social interaction and the ability to think fast on our feet when technology fails. 

However, technology is advancing fast.  Any problems that can occur, solutions are being thought of.  The Millenials and Gen Zs will say “there’s an app for that”. Self-driving cars, Breathalyzers handy, Drones flying everywhere, it will go on and on. They will innovate beyond what most of us ever dreamed or think of.

Their vision and how they see possibilities are just endless and guess what? They are just starting.