New generations (Y and Z) are accused by the oldest dive too deep in the virtual world of INTERNET losing with this, the relationship skills with their fellow men and even with other species on the planet. Is this a true statement? The facts and data do not support this claim:
1. Research of Solomon (2008) show that generation Y is the most diverse of all time, since 35% are not white and had their family structures changed quickly. Today, one in four young people of 21 years was created by only one parent, and three have a mother who works outside the home. Unlike their parents and older siblings, generation Y tends to remain relatively traditional values and believes in the value of the adequacy instead of rebellion, typical in generation X parents;
2. Bruno Pezzotti, IPS Univali field coordinator, revealed in its survey released by journalist Bruna Nicolao (2014), “The youth only leaves home from the moment that is professionally structured. There is a change in behavior of notions and recovery of values in society. There is mainly a strengthening of individualization in this generation”. The survey also showed that young people of this generation are very skilled, but with little experience and need to be challenged to gain maturity. Studies of young people in Europe and the Middle point the same behavior identified in this study. “Generation Y wants to make his mark, show their ID and veterans need to let young people make mistakes and create scars. This exhibition is going to develop experience”, says Sydney Oliveira, consultant who also participated in the process;
3. INTERNET emerged from military research in the golden periods of the Cold War (Season commanded by the generation of Baby Boomers, Generation X parents and grandparents of Y). In the 1960s, when two politically antagonistic blocs exercised enormous control and influence in the world, any innovation or new tool could help in this dispute led by the Soviet Union and the United States: the two superpowers understood the absolute necessity and effectiveness of the media. Today’s generation Y turned this tool in cross-border trade instrument; of bringing people of different nationalities; of fun, as promotes network games with people from all over the world; social inclusion; and continuing education.
So there is something inconsistent in the statement that those who heavily use the INTERNET lacks relationship skills with their peers. Then what is the reason for the Y generation was so interested in the large network and technologies that connects to www (World Wide Web – Worldwide Reach Network)? Simply would not be rediscovering our past, when blazed through the whole planet in nomadic condition?
To Pierre Lévy (1996), “A general movement of virtualization today affects not only the information and communication, but also the bodies, economic operation, collective frames of sensitivity or the exercise of intelligence. Virtualization even reaches the modalities of being together, the constitution of the US: virtual communities, virtual enterprises, virtual democracy … While scanning the messages and cyberspace extension play a key role in changing course, this is a background wave that goes well beyond the computerization”.
In his book, “O Que é o Virtual?” (1996) Lévy also argues that the computer is the new reading machine by which documents created in network and processed by the readers are appreciated. The text is unstable, constantly changing, always a window open to new interpretations; within the large network the reader chooses where to sail, beyond the linearity of texts on paper. The economy is globalized, and markets become virtualized. “The information acquires exchange value and there is talk of infostructure, where information is the source or the determining factor for all forms of wealth. Information and knowledge are configured as economic goods in an integrated metamarket to cyberspace” (excerpt Nirlei of Maria Oliveira describing the book Lévy is available in http://portaldeperiodicos.eci.ufmg.br/index.php/pci/article/view/70)
When a new paradigm emerges invariably happens reluctance to accept the new, for those who are in the Old comfort zone, holding the power of toehold on old habits, practices and technologies. Whose side are embracing the new, this reluctance makes it necessary to stretch the string, an exaggeration in tread the new path, so that a balance between the two sides of the coin, the New and the Old, can live in a harmonic process and gradual replacement of old colored clothes, but faded, with a new, more adherent to future colors, which turns this quickly and inevitably.
In short, the generation Y is no less strange and misunderstood the hairy Generation X with its countless protests against the consumer society of the Baby Boomers. In fact, extremely intelligent and talented, adopted as a tool nomadism of human beginnings on the planet, that Professor Geoffrey Blainey so well described in his book “Uma Breve História do Mundo” (2004): “They moved in small groups: were explorers and settlers. In an unknown region, had to adapt to new foods and to guard against wild animals, snakes and poisonous insects. Those who made their way could a certain advantage, as humans, implacable opponents of the territory of invaders, were not there to hinder their way … During this long, slow migration, the first of many in the history of the human race, these native peoples of the tropics and advanced to colder areas, never known for any of their ancestors … For long periods, the pioneer tribes that created gardens and had flocks and had to coexist with nomadic people. Live side by side imposed tension”.
Perhaps the great-grandson of Blainey teacher, a spacecraft route to Cygnus Prime, solve discussion about generation Y, who explored the virtual world, introducing us to the seven wonders of the quantum world, existing but invisible around us (http://hypescience.com/as-sete-maravilhas-do-mundo-quantico/). For now, companies wishing to guarantee their future, must be prepared to understand and enjoy the wisdom of this generation, connected by vocation and nomadic by letter of duty.
References:
BLAINEY, Geoffrey. Uma Breve História do Mundo. Curitiba: Editora Fundamento, 2004.
LÉVY, Pierre. O Que é o Virtual? Trad.: Paulo Neves. São Paulo: Editora 34, 1996.
NICOLAO, Bruna. Research Reveals Generation Y. behavior Available in http://www.tpcenter.com.br/noticias/item/132-07/12-pesquisa-revela-comportamento-da-geração-y. Consulted in 27/01/2014.
SOLOMON, Michael R. O Comportamento do Consumidor. Comparando, Possuindo e Sendo. Porto Alegre: Bookman, 2008.
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