#7 Tapscott, part 1, Meet the Net Generation

Tapscott’s Grown Up Digital begins by talking about how the Net Generation came about, and who we are. I say we, because it was obvious from the start of the book, that he was talking about me. Technology is “technology only for people who are born before it was invented.” Pg. 19.  I feel that this was a little misleading, because I am on the older side of his Net Gen, and I saw many technologies come about and watched them infiltrate homes. Especially shocking were the eight norms that Tapscott points out.

1.  They want freedom in everything they do, from freedom of choice to freedom of expression.
2.  The love to customize, personalize.
3.  They are the new scrutinizers. "Businesses (and churches) targeting the Net Gen should expect and welcome intense scrutiny of its products, promotional efforts, and corporate practices. The Net Gen knows that their market power allows them to demand more of companies, which goes for employers as well." p. 35
4. They look for corporate integrity and openness when deciding what to buy and where to work. (and where to worship)
5. The Net Gen wants entertainment and play in their work, education, and social life.
6. They are the collaboration and relationship generation.
7. The Net Gen has a need for speed - speed characterizes the flow of information among vast networks of people.
8. They are the innovators

I saw myself in each of these eight norms.  Not in just a few, but every. Single. One. I am mystified at how clearly he had me pegged, as this had never happened before.

Tapscott’s been observing Net Genners since the beginning, watching his daughters Grow up Digital, I feel that he knew from the start that including those who were growing up in the 80’s with more and more technology surrounding us, that we were an important part of this Net Gen.

My mother marvels at my drive for technology, to figure out how it works, and even just how I think about technology.  I have two sisters, one much older, and another just a few years younger. We are all very different, and it’s interesting to see the eight norms applied (or not) to each of them.  My younger sister, for instance, looks for entertainment in life, but that doesn’t necessarily have to come through technological means. She also translates innovator a bit different.  My sister is an artist, and her brain thinks of creating her next installation of “green” art, instead of the next big invention.  When we were children, I was going to be designing her clothing line while she made millions doing something that required the raincoat and galoshes sets I was going to be making her in every color imagineable. The tables of turned a bit, my sister is more in the design and aesthetic of materials, and I see myself as more of an innovator and integrator of technology into every part of my life.