There is an excellent article in today's NYTimes that blends the quantitative data about todays millenials (born 1980-2000) that has been out for a while with some snapshots of actual twenty-somethings and their media habits. Some of this is not new but the article brings it together (and has a cool graph on Karell Roxas from Gurl.com's media habits).
here are some points I walked away with:
- All information is experienced electronically. Newspapers or "old and clunky."
- They (I want to say "we" cause I totally relate, but I just don't fit into the age bracket) want their "programming when and where they want it. Tivo, video on cell phones and PC, etc...
- They are following more collaborative behaviors which many believe make them better team members at the expense of leadership. This last part about leadership suffering does not ring true (especially to Roxas and me).
- They don't think about multi-tasking, they just do it.
- They are content creators by nature not by profession
- The more instantaneous and to-the-point (text messaging vs. voicemail) the better.
And here is a great quote that captures a very important emotional point from Roxas:
"But when asked if she might ever be able to really disconnect for a while, Ms. Roxas paused and then laughed at herself. To really unplug, while an attractive idea in theory, she said, would be to risk being swept aside by a virtual torrent of information - or, worse, being forgotten. "
Thanks for the heads up on the article. I'll join you in your dismissal of the lack of leadership comment from the researchers cited in the article. The fact that the vast majority of them -- according to the recent Pew study -- are creating their own content online -- would suggest that they think that they have something to communicate that is worth being heard by others. They have the capacity -- and recognize that they have the capacity -- to influence thought and action. Maybe it's not the alpha male version of leadership, but if they're not leaders, why the heck is everyone tripping over themselves to follow their every move?
Posted by: Alison | January 22, 2006 at 10:08 PM
It seems to me that this isn't about leadeship, it's about communal involvement, where many play a bit of a leadership role.
In fact, the concept of 'leadership' may turn some of them off in their 'peer to group' matrix. Too top down.
Posted by: Jonathan Trenn | January 25, 2006 at 04:50 PM
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