Here’s a neat video that was created for the AARP u@50 video contest. The goal of the contest was to encourage inter-generational dialogue. Net Geners aged 18-30 were asked to submit a clip about what they expect their lives to be like at age 50. While the winning video is good, the second place video really captured my attention. It very simply, but very poignantly, illustrates the duality of the much debated Net Gen identity and the impact of such.

Increasingly, Net Geners are viewed as a make or break generation, one that has the power and choice to reverse the many mistakes of previous cohorts, or to continue on with the many destructive habits. The second place clip is interesting insofar as it accurately articulates this pivotal moment in time: it speaks to the popular idea that we have reached an historical tipping point, and many are speculating on the eventual outcome.

With generational debate and discussion figuring so prominently in the media these days, I am increasingly starting to wonder which way history will play out. Watch the video then ask yourself if the book of history that Net Geners write be read the first way or will they succeed at writing it in reverse?

Check out all the AARP contest videos here.