I must first acknowledge my personal bias on this topic…
As a member of the Net Generation research team at nGenera (and a member of said generation myself), I am a firm believer in the tremendous accomplishments and potential of the Net Generation (those born between 1977 and 1997). So, I must say that when I first heard of the upcoming launch of Emory University English Professor Mark Bauerlein’s book: The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (Or, Don’t Trust Anyone Under 30), I was quite intrigued.
While I cannot yet comment in-depth on the quality of Bauerlein’s research or the content of his book, I want to highlight the book’s launch this Thursday (I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy), and I also want to give our Wikinomics readers the opportunity to weigh-in with their opinions on Bauerlein’s thesis here. Bauerlein will also be addressing your questions here, this Wednesday at noon.
For a taste of the book’s contents, Boston.com presents 8 reasons why this is the dumbest generation:
1. They make excellent “Jaywalking” targets
2. They don’t read books — and don’t want to, either
3. They can’t spell
4. They get ridiculed for original thought, good writing
5. Grand Theft Auto IV, etc.
6. They don’t store the information
7. Because their teachers don’t tell them so
8. Because they’re young
Now, if I can somehow manage to tear myself away from the video games, figure out that pesky spelling thing, and get over my age, I’ll have my reading all lined up for this weekend’s Victoria Day long-weekend celebrations.
Actually, it’s a long drive to the cottage - I wonder if there will be an audio version released on Thursday, too, so that I don’t even have to figure out what an actual book is, or even tear myself away from my incessant video-game playing.
On a serious note, I am genuinely excited to read the book and I am very interested in seeing Bauerlein’s take on the Net Gen.
Signing off until next time,
One of the “dumb” ones…
UPDATE: There are some very insightful comments popping up on the Boston.com forum, with over 25 pages of feedback in two days - be sure to visit.
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Hey, there’s no reason to bad mouth GTA
Comment by Mike Dover - May 11, 2008 6:04 pm
Almost on principle, I do NOT buy decline-and-fall type theses, but I’ll wait for your review. So far I know nothing about this book except its title, and that is rather revealing. It is a dumb title
I do have an extremely atypical set of friends under 30 (full disclosure - born in 74, me GenX), since I connected to them via a scholarship program, but even factoring that out, this is a particularly smart generation, not dumb. Everything from IQ trends to my personal experiences with them testifies to this.
Rob Salkowitz’s Generation Blend does a pretty good job profiling this generation and contrasting its values against the other three in the economy right now (Gen X, Boomer, Silent). Based on Salkowitz’s analysis and my own thinking, I have to admit my initial inclination is to distrust any book with an intent like ‘dumbest generation’ as revealing more about the author’s generation (I am guessing Boomer) than about the target.
But like I said, I am fair. I’ll wait for your review.
Comment by Venkat - May 11, 2008 6:59 pm
[...] - Ian Da Silva has some choice words for the author of the book. I’m not surprised. It’s a typical [...]
Pingback by The Dumbest Generation. | Library Stuff - May 11, 2008 8:42 pm
I actually agree that we have the dumbest generation. For every successful ngener there are probably 100 dumb teenagers taking their lives and opportunities for granted. They will be the ones left behind.
Comment by steve - May 11, 2008 10:08 pm
Hey Venkat:
Rob Salkowitz is going to work with the Wikinomics team on a project about the blue collar Net Gens. I’ll pass on to him that one of our keen readers likes his book.
Mike
Comment by Mike Dover - May 11, 2008 11:48 pm
It appears the process now goes like this: don’t trust anyone over thirty, until you’re over 30, then don’t trust anyone under 30. Net result: a lot of trust being placed in 30 year olds
Comment by Denis Hancock - May 12, 2008 8:55 am
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Pingback by Wikinomics » Blog Archive » Dilbert Mash up: May 12th - May 12, 2008 9:24 am
As a member of Net Generation I find myself a little offended by Mark Bauerlein’s oversimplified stereotype. I find myself wondering if the reason for this degradation may actually stem from fear of being replaced by the up and coming workforce of tomorrow. Some simple facts strongly oppose Bauerlein’s theory. The difficulty level for college admission is at an all time high. Our generation faces a hyper competitive education environment which breeds extremely hard workers, which by the way, do read books. The only difference from elder generations is that we don’t have to adapt to new technology. We were born using it. While you old folks are still figuring out what web 2.0 means, we are utilizing it in our everyday work. We will take our technology skills and strong work ethic into the the work force, and if the generation 56k modem people can’t adapt, they will be replaced. So by all means, keep writing your funny satire about the Net Generation, but when you need help figuring out how to work your new ipod, don’t ask us for help.
Comment by Justin Papermaster - May 12, 2008 3:03 pm
I graduated high school in 1971 they said back then that no one born after 1950 was worth a crap. I watched my daughter become obsessed with facebook. I thought this was a total waste of time. Now I think the sharing of knowledge (email, internet facebook, ect) is the greatest thing since the printing press. This book’s theme seem like an outdated way of thinking even for someone my age (54). It reminds me of story about African Monkey’s and the way they are caught. You take a large clear heavy slim necked bottle and put peanuts in the bottom a monkey comes along and grabs a hand full he is easily caught since he want let go of any of the peanuts and his full hand will not slip out and the bottle is to heavy to carry. I hope you guys keep working and pay social security us old folks will surly need it.
JM
Comment by Jerry - May 12, 2008 9:11 pm
Update #2 - Boston.com’s forum now tops 35 pages of feedback about Bauerlein’s title. Some are knee-jerk reactions, but there are also some very well thought-out comments both in support of, and in stark opposition to, the book’s title. Weigh in with your opinion at here. Anxiously awaiting this week’s launch. Ian
Comment by Ian Da Silva - May 12, 2008 11:26 pm
Coming from “The Dumbest Generation” I don’t agree with Mark Bauerlein’s reasons. First of all, if they don’t read, shouldn’t you present your findings on television rather then text so the generation your offending gets your message. Plus, ever heard of Harry Potter? Also, we are born into a technology age where spelling isn’t necessary because everyone uses spell check. I’m sure word found plenty of errors Mark made even when he wasn’t looking. Now I am not saying having the ability to spell is a bad thing, but think about all the tools we have on our desktops. You never send a paper without spell check do you? Mark, why would a teacher tell his/her student they are dumb? Aren’t teachers supposed to motivate our youth and “teach.” Why would a student go to class if all his teacher thinks of him is that he is useless and “dumb.” What motivation would make anyone want to go to school if teachers do not respect their students and vis versa. Finally, do you mean to tell me when you were young you didn’t do dumb or immature activities. Just because a person is young doesn’t mean they are dumb. Many of my peers and I hold a level of maturity that businesses respect and consider. Plus, I’m sure the baby boomers can respect the fact that everyone is young and dumb at some point in their lives. So, Mark when you want to go off on a generation, look at your past and examine different aspects. And also, I will purchase your book just so I can read the ridiculously bias information you gathered because I READ BOOKS!
Comment by Komail Mithani - May 15, 2008 11:21 am
The dumb thing is that ripping on generations has been happening throughout the generations.
“The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.”
Socrates Fifth century B.C.
This and more quotes can be found here:
I often blog about this topic.. Let’s focus on the positives.. Millennials have more diversity awareness. In many cases, Millennials are more tolerant of different viewpoints, genders, sexualities, races, etc. Isn’t that GREAT? I think that’s wonderful! This tolerance should be welcomed into the workforce.
P.S. I am a Millennial that reads A LOT of books.
Comment by Amy - May 15, 2008 5:04 pm
Dumbest generation might be a stretch…Although the fact that we have shows like “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” does suggest otherwise.
As for number 3, I definitely agree. The kids at my school actually speak like this:
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/funny-pictures-thermostat-cat-not-made-of-money.jpg
Comment by Saloni - May 16, 2008 12:12 am
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Pingback by Wikinomics » Blog Archive » The Sky is Falling…The Sky is Falling…But Is It Really? - May 19, 2008 8:33 pm
Great! Now I can add this to my list of books to read, including “All Marketers are Liars” (http://www.allmarketersareliars.com)!
(Note: I’m both a Gen Y/”Net Gen” and a marketer.)
Comment by Lauren Hall-Stigerts - May 22, 2008 12:31 pm
Thanks for the link, Lauren. I’ll be sure to check it out. You should also check out http://www.thedumbestgeneration.com.
As a marketer, you’ll appreciate the irony.
Comment by Ian Da Silva - May 22, 2008 1:19 pm
Many teenagers look like slackers, but really, isn’t being a slacker their actual job?
As a teen, Einstein was considered addled, but he went on to greater things. I suggest we keep things in perspective before we write off the world because all the kids are “idiots”.
Comment by Mike Baker - July 19, 2008 1:35 pm