THE DEFINING THEME OF OUR AGE

How do you think history will record the 21st century?

http://www.fountainmagazine.com/essaycontest
Throughout human history, different periods have been captured by a defining
theme: the Dark Ages the Industrial Age the Nuclear Age the Information
Age the Space Age, etc.
What do you think the theme of the 21st century will be?
The age of connections? Rebirth of faith? Clash of civilizations? Age of the
internet? Rise of fundamentalism? Interstellar travel? Gender equality? Human
trafficking? WW III? Artificial intelligence? Genetics? Cooperation? Competition?
Spiritual revolution? Secularism? Values? Ethics?
You may include as many topics as you think are relevant; the possibilities seem
endless.
One may feel it is too early to determine the theme of what is still a new century.
Yet, we believe it can prove useful to project the future and to be prepared for
the coming days. Maybe, with enough preparation, its even possible to change
the course of history before its too late!
So, look around and gaze into the horizon. Travel to the future and bring back
some news.
Essays are expected to be factual, but with an inspirational style that will feed
both our reason and soul.
Deadline for submissions: November 30, 2015
Contest open to all writers worldwide
Essay word count must be between 1,500 and 2,500 words
Essays must be submitted through the essay contest page at
www.fountainmagazine.com/essaycontest
1st Place - $1,500
2nd Place - $750
3rd Place - $300
Two Honorable Mentions - $200 each
THE DEFINING THEME OF OUR AGE
The Fountain 2015 Essay Contest
How do you think history will record the 21st century?
Frequently Asked Questions

Theme
References
Word count
Style
Publishing
Number of entry
Disqualification
Evaluation
Submission
Deadline
Winners
Eligibility
Previous contests

THEME
What qualifies a good essay?
An essay that you feel your heart rests more comfortably on. The more concise
an essay, the more acceptable it is. Its authenticity and uniqueness, and how
elaborately you put your theme into words so that others are inspired from it.
REFERENCES
Do we have to include references, bibliography, notes, etc. as in an academic
journal?
The Fountain is not a journal. Thus, we do not expect a full scale reference list for
all the information you provide. But, we encourage contributors to provide at
least a reasonable number of references (not more than four or five) especially
for the arguments borrowed from other sources, as it would make your work
more reliable. If the kind of information you provide needs citation, please
provide it; but essays with lengthy references are not preferred. Some reference
and recommendations for further reading may help readers who are interested in
the essay. "Accuracy of data" is expected in essays in which information provided
needs sourcing. An essay based on personal experience does not require
citation, and it is equally acceptable.
WORD COUNT
Does the word count limit include the bibliography or just the essay itself?
The Fountain is not a full-scale academic journal, so we expect authors to keep
references to a maximum of four or five. Notes can be more. References and
notes do not make a big change in word count which is advised to be between
1,500 and 2,500. A range is always necessary to be able to have an objective
measure in terms of size.
STYLE
What kind of writing style do you expect? Can we use informal phrases? Is this
essay supposed to be a personal opinion piece, or more of a scholarly supported
article?
In writing style, we mainly seek consistency. We prefer the Chicago Manual of

Style, but if you are more familiar with another style, that is also acceptable.
Some informal usage can be OK in a certain essay, but not in another. It is
basically the authors call.
Would an essay in the short story genre qualify for the contest?
As long as your theme is skillfully woven through its structure, and if it upholds
The Fountains values and principles, yes.
PUBLISHING
Are you going to publish submitted essays anywhere?
We might publish submissions in The Fountain, both the print and web editions,
even if the essays did not win any prize. By submitting your essay to this
contest, you agree that you give permission to The Fountain to publish it in any
medium.
NUMBER OF ENTRY
Can I submit more than one essay?
No. One entry per person.
DISQUALIFICATION
What makes an essay disqualified?
Offensive and devotional essaysparticularly essays that emphasize superiority
of a specific worldview or derogating a specific worldviewwill not be considered
for the Grand Prize. We define as "devotional" those essays that "propagate" a
certain spiritual order, a religious denomination, a spiritual leader, or a political
activist, etc. in a way that subordinates all other faiths and traditions. Such
submissions will be disqualified.
EVALUATION
Who will determine the winners? Can you explain more specifically what you are
looking for in a winner?
The winners will be determined by our board who will decide according to the
literary effectiveness of the essay in reflecting the philosophy behind the motto,
richness in content, and authenticity.
All submitted essays will be evaluated using the following criteria.
Relevance to the contest theme (40 points)
Innovation & creativity (30 points)
Writing style and structure (30 points)
SUBMISSION
How am I going to submit my essay?
Go to the submit your entry link on the right. After filling out the form, attach
your document and send it.

DEADLINE
When is the last day for submissions?
November 30.
WINNERS
When will the winners be announced?
January 30.
ELIGIBILITY
Who is eligible to participate in this contest?
There is no age limit or a condition to fulfill for entry. The contest is open to all
who want to share his or her ideas with us.
PREVIOUS CONTESTS
I was wondering if you had run this contest before and had examples of previous
works that had been selected as a winner.
We have run a few essay contests before. You may check out www.last72.com for
the theme and winners of one of such contests.

Why compete in EssayMama Essay Writing Contest?

Get cash.

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2nd place - $400

3rd place - $250

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Get discovered.
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Deadline and Judging Criteria

Deadline - February 29, 2016. Submit your essays from November 1, 2015 till February 19,
2016.
Essays will be checked by EssayMama team of professional writers and editors from March 1,
2016 till March 8, 2016. Scale - from 0 to 100 points. You can get extra points for extra social
sharing (see the information below).
The final results will be announced on March 9, 2016. The winning essays will be published on
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Submission Guidelines
Type Essay (800 - 1300 words) - one participant can send only one essay!
Topics:
1. How Necessary Is a College Education For You?
2. Why Do We Enjoy Watching Rich People on TV and in the Movies?
3. Does Shame and Blame Method Work to Change Student's Behavior?
4. Are Anti-smoking Advertisements Effective?
5. How Concerned Are You About Where Your Food Comes From?
6. Which Is More Important: Talent or Hard Work?
7. Can a Video Game Be a Work of Art?
8. Is Academic Cheating Getting Worse?
Language English only
Formats .doc, .rtf, .odt, and .docx
100% unique All submissions will be checked via PlagTracker.
Participation in the contest automatically constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions
and the rejection of any claim.
Mail title should be [EssayMama Essay Writing Winter Contest], your name.
Submit to contest@essaymama.com

http://www.essaymama.com/contests/

A College Student's Dilemma: to Study or to Work?

By Sylvia Aantjes, Netherlands
First place in Essaymama Essay Writing Contest
Slavoj Zizek, a contemporary philosopher and cultural critic, says that happiness is a very conformist
category. You have a serious ideological deviation at the very beginning of a famous proclamation of
independence you know, pursuit of happiness. If there is a point in psychoanalysis, it is that people
do not really want or desire happiness, and I think it's good that it is like that.1 When I first heard
these words, I immediately related them to my education. Do I really want to get what I think I want?
It's a philosophical question that presents the reality of a college student: we pursue something we
think would make us happy, but most of us develop into uninteresting individuals, ready to get
traditional jobs and go with the flow. In my opinion, college is slowly killing my creativity and I will
choose to get out of this vicious circle that's keeping me in the dark spot between my ideals and the
reality. The answer to the student's dilemma is obvious: work.
Since I was a little boy, I was always anticipating education as something I was obliged to. However,
as I was quickly becoming a part of the traditional schooling system, I started perceiving the
classroom as something monstrous. Teachers didn't tell me anything about the things I wanted to
know. I was interested in the Universe ever since I was little. They made me memorize historical data,
math formulas, chemistry lessons and other details I did not want to know. The excuse is that we need
versatile education that would help us discover our true interests, but the truth is that most of that
information evaporates right after taking the tests. By the end of high school, I was already
customized'. I was ready to fit into the system and proceed to college. Was I prepared to follow my
dreams and study astronomy? Of course not! I did not have the needed base of knowledge because I
had to learn other things for the sake of grades and I never had time to explore my interests outside
school.
My college professors think I'm not interested in education. They are wrong; I am interested in
knowledge. However, I want to gain knowledge that will prepare me to face real challenges. I do not
want to attend numbing lectures and study materials I will never use. It seems that the more
knowledge' I gain in the lecture halls, the less I know about my life and my purpose. Higher education
may have worked some time ago, but today it is more ineffective than ever. The main problem of
college curriculums is their failure to prepare students for the future in front of them. The reason for
that is quantity. Every high-school graduate is pushed towards college as the only way of pursuing

dreams. Parents want to be proud of their children, and it seems that a high school diploma is not
enough to make them happy. My parents would be thrilled if I got my college degree and spent the
next decade in repaying loans. After two years spent in attempts to make them happy, I decided to
crush their dream and follow my own.
The failure to finish college doesn't make people uneducated. The greatest tragedies in human history
were not caused by uneducated people. In fact, wars have been a direct consequence of the
intelligence of people with degrees. People's attention is focused on fitting into society and common
expectations. I find it impossible to reshape myself to fit into the cavity my parents have crafted for
me. Instead, I will start shaping my own life in accordance with the capacity I possess. Dreams can
change. Only few of us grow up into the individuals they imagined they would be, simply because
society imposes different standards. However, I decided to go back to my original interests and start
exploring the Universe as I always wanted to. The Universe decided to collaborate: I got a job in a
telescope store and I'm finally confident in the decisions I make.
Zizek is wrong. People do need to be happy. Happiness is the least conformist category; it's individual
and necessary. Education should support the mission of becoming happy; it shouldn't drive us away
from it. We are constantly being exposed to an explosion of information. Colleges play with the trends:
since more knowledge is available, they want us to study more. However, the quantity of information
we burden our minds with does not make us wise or interesting. It only makes us ready to participate
in a TV quiz show. Our modern and developed society is nothing more than a setting that produces
educated' people that don't know many useful things. Labeling people according to the education
they have obtained is the worst form of cultural arrogance. Some college students find their calling in
becoming respectable academics. Others are lost with a degree that doesn't get them a job, so they
have to work anything just to cover the debt. I choose neither of these options; I decided to be free
and start doing something I was meant for. Now, I am free to learn the things I want to know, and I
know I won't regret this decision.
References:
1Zizek, S. (2012). Why Be Happy When You Could Be Interesting? Retrieved from
http://bigthink.com/videos/why-be-happy-when-you-could-be-interesting

What Are the Effects of Illiteracy for the Civilization?

By Martina Hoffmannov, Czech Republic

Second place in Essaymama Essay Writing Contest

The worst illiterate is the political illiterate, he doesn't hear, doesnt speak, nor participates in the
political events. He doesnt know the cost of life, the price of the bean, of the fish, of the flour, of the
rent, of the shoes and of the medicine, all depends on political decisions. The political illiterate is so
stupid that he is proud and swells his chest saying that he hates politics. The imbecile doesnt know
that, from his political ignorance is born the prostitute, the abandoned child, and the worst thieves of
all, the bad politician, corrupted and flunky of the national and multinational companies.
Bertolt Brecht
Bertolt Brecht did not define illiteracy as a hallmark of a whole nation or society. His arguments were
focused on the individual. However, the practices of statistics, which are skillfully collecting data and
turning people into numbers, show that when illiteracy gains momentum among individuals in a
certain society, the system corrodes. The cause of illiteracy is a system of connected vessels. We are
mostly illiterate because we dont love our language, we dont read, we dont have access to highquality translations of foreign literature, and we do not care about important financial issues. The
effect of general illiteracy can be summed up with a single word: assumptions. People base their
opinions and arguments in conjectures. As a result of their lack of interest and proper information, the
results are visible on civilization level: the majority of people are political illiterates that undermine the
system and leave space for corruption and authoritarian regimes labeled as democracies.
Literacy is an important characteristic of every human being. We can determine ones depth and
knowledge when we analyze the books they read. Each book becomes part of our subconscious mind
and helps us determine the goals and values in life. Today, people have access to an immense
collection of books they can choose from. Classics are more available than ever, but most of them opt
for questionable popular literature that makes them blunt and impressed by the wrong human
characteristics. People of all generations have a sufficient level of literacy to read Fifty Shades of
Grey, but they lack the focus to read the subtitles of an artistic European movie.
The careless attitude towards language and learning has become a problem of our civilization. Its
even fashionable to be illiterate. The Russian subculture called padonki has adopted an anarchic
attitude towards their native language. They do not respect the established norms of spoken and
written expression, so they twist and shorten the words in whatever manner that seems appropriate to
them. The only rule is that there are no rules to follow. This example paints a clear picture of todays
culture: literacy is no longer a primary value. The resistance to learn and comply with cultural norms is
fashionable, and political structures gain tremendous benefits from such attitude.

The world of information has become a supermarket where people can easily get the things someone
else tells them they need. Over the past decade, the unprecedented involvement of technology in
peoples lives resulted with a growing gap in knowledge between the public and governmental elite.
The system is highly advanced in terms of knowing what the ordinary man needs, and the ordinary
man does not want to bother thinking about his real needs.
One of the most certain proofs of the effects of illiteracy over society is contained in the results from
the study Financial Literacy and Retirement Preparedness: Evidence and Implications for Financial
Education Programs (Lusardi and Mitchell, 2007). 96% of the surveyed Russians and 70% of the
surveyed Americans did not answer correctly on questions related to their bank accounts, interests
and inflation. This study revealed the frightening level of financial illiteracy of people worldwide. Such
ignorance is dangerous because it shows people are delegating their personal decisions to banks,
and they are not interested in the policies that practically govern their lives.
The high level of ignorance in society results from ineffective primary education, as well as from the
fact that parents do not talk about important things with their children. They are slowly preparing them
to get into the system that produces ignorance on many levels. The multi-ideological polarization has
its roots in the conscious efforts of governments to overwhelm people with lies and propaganda. The
access to Internet and superficial TV programs enabled different interest groups to misinform the
public to an unprecedented scale. People are encouraged to educate themselves, but a college
degree does not necessarily improve ones literacy. Even though all countries have more Masters and
PhDs than ever before, the collective level of political and social illiteracy is disturbing. This trend
corrupts not only the language culture, but also the national cultural values. Since literacy is
considered to be an expression of the national spirit and identity, the prognosis cannot be optimistic.
Illiteracy has conquered the political scene, public institutions, the judiciary system, and even public
education. The media have an important role in the global situation: they have long abandoned the
traditional journalistic style characterized with truth and clear, brief forms. Today, the language is
consumed by the influence of electronic media, and journalists are doing nothing to inform people in a
genuine, uncorrupted way. The lack of literacy on the level of language, economy, education,
literature, and finance results with the worst kind of ignorance that Bertolt Brecht defined: political
illiteracy. People are dragging themselves through decisions they do not participate in. Their choices
are based on campaigns and propaganda served by corrupted media that do not present reality. They
avoid reading and exploring high-quality literature and publications that require more time than they
are willing to give. As a result of modern technology, educational trends and political goals, our
civilization is characterized by a concerning level of illiteracy despite the great number of degrees
issued on a yearly basis.

What is the Role of Social Media in Education?

By Gabriel Ryrie, Australia
Third place in Essaymama Essay Writing Contest
Social media websites, as a revolutionary phenomenon that changed the way people function, are the
subject of numerous discussions in different fields, particularly in journalism and communicology. The
data on the growth of online media are impressive. For the sake of comparison, the radio needed 38
years to reach an audience of 50 million people; television needed 13 years, whereas the Internet
reached 50 million users in only 4 years. Today, the separation of the online from the offline world
makes no sense. Everyones life is intertwined with websites and online tools. Education has been
directly affected by students need to rely on online resources and communities. The role of social
media in education is profoundly positive: these websites provide both students and teachers with
access to more information, as well as with a way of expressing their own opinions in front of a
broader audience.
The most important function of social media is the accentuation of the collective versus the individual.
Communities exist in different shapes and sizes on the Internet. Social media affect peoples life, but
each individual can also influence the online world. Thus, different communities started establishing
their own groups on social media, with the purpose to discuss different topics and take actions
towards a common goal. The ability to create Facebook groups is one of the most important factors
that influenced contemporary education. Instead of meeting the parents in person, teachers simply
create a group and invite their students parents to participate. Homework is being assigned through
social media, and the students can easily collaborate on team projects when they participate in a
private group. Social media makes collaboration easy: the students share links to online resources,
discuss the outline of the project, and work together to get to the final result.
The ability of social media users to shape the form of contemporary education put an end to the
dominant role of universities and old-school teachers who relied on outdated teaching methods.
Today, students have a say because they can express their requirements in front of a grand audience.
This key feature of social networks proves that Facebook and Twitter are not simply channels for
mass communication; they offer a chance for people to communicate important ideas and make
changes in the educational system, as well as all other aspects of their lives. The communication over
these channels is not controlled, which is why students have an opportunity to promote different
interests and activities, and show critical attitude to the things they dont like. Due to the exposure
they get, the complaints and requirements get to the highest levels of the educational pyramid.

Social media websites provide a solution for the many obstacles of communicational nature that
student organizations used to face. Facebook, Twitter, and other online communities create a fertile
ground for initiative and civic engagement. The easy access to communication technologies built upon
the principles of social networking enables complete realization of successful association and
interaction of student organizations. Through social media, students become advocates for liberal,
open-source education. The great promise of the Internet is to give people their voice back. The
intensification of communication elevates the level of democracy and directly connects individuals and
groups with the sources of power. Students are being heard and their requirements are being met.
They realize that ideology does matter and they can make a change when they move away from
apathy and they become active participants in the educational process.
During the beginnings of social media, the academic community was concerned that the penetration
and expansion of these networks in all areas of peoples live would result in reduced personal contact
and serious distractions. However, the Facebook generation is more connected than ever. This
community has immediate influence over the decisions that form the contemporary educational
trends. The term Spiral of Silence, which was originally proposed by the German political scientist
Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, is an appropriate description of the role of social media in education:
students are more likely to reveal their opinions if they are a part of a greater community, since
unpopular opinions would be exposed to criticism in a smaller group. Due to the fact that social media
websites are liberal and enable everyone to get support, students are encouraged to be proactive in
the creation of public opinion. The connections that young people develop through social networking
allow smooth flow of new information that supports the educational process.
Responsible activity in social media supports the development of an individual as part of a greater
community. Although the users are influenced by public opinions shared through these networks, they
also have a chance to affect other individuals and become influential participants in the evolution of
educational standards. Schools become aware of students problems and needs, which is why they
are trying to adapt the curriculums and lectures to the needs of the tech generation. Thus, the
students are involved in the decision-making processes that occur on the higher levels. The evolution
of modern education does not stop there. The official curriculums are yet to be profoundly influenced
by students requirements expressed through social media. Digital activism leads to different
opportunities for positive development of the school community. If educators encourage students to
become digitally literate by explaining how they can use social media to influence the education they
get, the changes will progress even further. The activism of the digital youth contributes to particular
social reforms. We can finally be the drivers of change!

The availability, adaptability, and convenience of social networking are close to students values.
Facebook and other networking websites provide an opportunity for instant communication between
teachers and students, students and students, teachers and parents, and teachers and teachers.
Everyone gets a chance to participate in the educational system and express their opinions through
strong civic engagement. Social media websites are also informal mentoring tools, through which
experienced and knowledgeable members transmit knowledge, experience and information to the
inferior users. These sites promote socialization and allow learners to make meaningful connections
with their friends and classmates, take part in active discussions, and share their values. In addition,
social networks enable individuals to find their own place in society and participate in it with greater
self-confidence

Generations X,Y, Z and the Others - Cont'd

William J. Schroer

Generation X
Born: 1966-1976
Coming of Age: 1988-1994
Age in 2004: 28 to 38
Current Population: 41 million
Sometimes referred to as the lost generation, this was the first generation of
latchkey kids, exposed to lots of daycare and divorce. Known as the generation
with the lowest voting participation rate of any generation, Gen Xers were
quoted by Newsweek as the generation that dropped out without ever turning
on the news or tuning in to the social issues around them.
Gen X is often characterized by high levels of skepticism, whats in it for me
attitudes and a reputation for some of the worst music to ever gain popularity.
Now, moving into adulthood William Morrow (Generations) cited the childhood
divorce of many Gen Xers as one of the most decisive experiences influencing
how Gen Xers will shape their own families.
Gen Xers are arguably the best educated generation with 29% obtaining a
bachelors degree or higher (6% higher than the previous cohort). And, with that
education and a growing maturity they are starting to form families with a higher
level of caution and pragmatism than their parents demonstrated. Concerns run
high over avoiding broken homes, kids growing up without a parent around and
financial planning.

Generation Y, Echo Boomers or Millenniums

Born: 1977-1994
Coming of Age: 1998-2006
Age in 2004: 10 to 22
Current Population: 71 million
The largest cohort since the Baby Boomers, their high numbers reflect their
births as that of their parent generation..the last of the Boomer Is and most of
the Boomer II s. Gen Y kids are known as incredibly sophisticated, technology
wise, immune to most traditional marketing and sales pitches...as they not only
grew up with it all, theyve seen it all and been exposed to it all since early
childhood.
Gen Y members are much more racially and ethnically diverse and they are
much more segmented as an audience aided by the rapid expansion in Cable TV
channels, satellite radio, the Internet, e-zines, etc.
Gen Y are less brand loyal and the speed of the Internet has led the cohort to be
similarly flexible and changing in its fashion, style consciousness and where and
how it is communicated with.
Gen Y kids often raised in dual income or single parent families have been more
involved in family purchases...everything from groceries to new cars. One in nine
Gen Yers has a credit card co-signed by a parent.
Generation Z
Born: 1995-2012
Coming of Age: 2013-2020
Age in 2004: 0-9
Current Population: 23 million and growing rapidly
While we dont know much about Gen Z yet...we know a lot about the
environment they are growing up in. This highly diverse environment will make
the grade schools of the next generation the most diverse ever. Higher levels of
technology will make significant inroads in academics allowing for customized
instruction, data mining of student histories to enable pinpoint diagnostics and
remediation or accelerated achievement opportunities.
Gen Z kids will grow up with a highly sophisticated media and computer
environment and will be more Internet savvy and expert than their Gen Y
forerunners. More to come on Gen Z...stay tuned.

Next time we will start to take a more in-depth look at the most significant and
impactful of the generational cohorts and what implications there might be for
libraries and librarians.
http://www.socialmarketing.org/newsletter/features/generation3.htm
Leveraging Generational Work Styles to Meet Business Objectives

Since the 1960s, when the term generation gap was first coined to describe
the differences between the WWII population (the Silent Generation) and its
offspring (Baby Boomers), generations have been learning how to co-exist. Pop
culture is rife with attitudes and preferences based on generational differences
consider the Queen of Soul vs. the King of Pop. In the workplace, however, the
differences can be muted, with changes developing below the radar.
Neil Simons
Bookmark and Share
Today, Baby Boomers, Generation X (Gen X), and Generation Y (Gen Y) are trying
to iron out the ripples in the workplace caused by their generational differences.
How work actually is accomplished is influenced by their varying expectations,
methods, and use of technology tools.

Records and information management (RIM) is affected by these generational

influences, too, as RIM practices, expectations, and technologies mature and
change. Organizational management styles and attitudes about how work gets
done are in a state of flux, perhaps more than ever before, punctuated by the
integration of these differences and other technological advancements.
In tandem with the changing dynamics in the generational landscape, the very
nature of information is changing as well. Now, more than ever, it is regarded as
a key resource for doing business and delivering services. As a result, its
important to consider generational differences and how they may affect an
organizations ability to function effectively, particularly with regard to RIM.
Developing strategies that bridge generational gaps can help ensure a
productive RIM environment.
The chart below provides a distillation of Gen Xs and Gen Ys experiences, ideas,
and values and conveys further suggestions for working with the younger
generations.

Gen X Gen Y
Source: The Learning Caf and American Demographics enterprisingmuseum
2003; and Generation X and the Millennials: What You Need to Know About

Mentoring the New Generations by Diane Thielfoldt and Devon Scheef in August
2004 Law Practice Today.
Sidebar: A Peek into One Organizations Generational Differences
Dianne Bell, records coordinator for the Suwannee River Water Management
District in Florida, is very much aware of the generational technology gap and
labels it as stubborn. She manages hundreds of thousands of permits, maps,
engineering drawings, legal contracts, and other public records and has noticed
distinct differences among how her co-workers prefer to work with those records.
Engineers like paper, especially the older ones (Boomers), she explains. They
want something they can hold in their hands when they go out into the field. But
once some of the younger ones find out they can access documents from their
PCs, they fall in love with our automated record management system and use it
every opportunity they can get.
For Bell, a technology system that manages both paper and electronic records
helps bridge that gap and offers something for all employees. Its so nice to
have one system in place that works just as easily and efficiently with paper
records as electronic ones, she said.
Snapshot of Three Generations
To understand the gaps that exist in todays workplace, its helpful to take a
glimpse of each generational group and the context in which its members grew
up.
Baby Boomers
Born 1946-1964 during Post-WWII
Characterized by social change and increasing affluence
In contrast to their predecessors, Boomers grew up in a time of affluence. As a
group, they were the healthiest and wealthiest generation to that time, growing
up genuinely expecting the world to improve with time.
Boomers tended to think of themselves as a special generation; different from
those individuals that had come before them. The assassinations of the Kennedy
brothers and Dr. Martin Luther King, who represented their liberal beliefs, deeply
affected them and fueled their fire in rejecting or redefining traditional values.
This generations business and government RIM practices focus on physical,
centralized, and institutionalized paper filing. Boomers have significant respect
for institutional information; and they view technologies used for managing
matters of record as artifacts of the organizationalculture.
Generation X
Born 1965-1976 during the later years of and after the Cold War

Characterized by the expansion of mass media and the advent of technology

Gen X grew up in a very different world, where divorce and working moms
created latch-key kids out of many in this generation. This led to traits of
independence, resilience, and adaptability. In the workplace, this translates to a
need for autonomy; they dont want supervisors looking over their shoulder.
At the same time, this generation expects immediate and ongoing feedback, and
it is equally comfortable giving feedback to others. Other traits include the ability
to work well in multicultural settings, a desire for some fun in the workplace, and
a pragmatic approach to getting things done.
Gen X saw their parents get laid off or face job insecurity. Many of them also
entered the workplace in the early 80s, when the economy was in a downturn.
Because of these factors, theyve redefined workplace loyalty. Instead of
remaining loyal to their organization, they have a commitment to their work, to
the team they work with, and the boss they work for. While Gen Xers take
employability seriously, they are not attached to a career ladder. They can move
laterally, stop, and start again.
To Gen Xers, records and RIM practices are just two of many forms of institutional
information to draw from within their organizations. File rooms have combined
with computer-based information as repositories for all manner of records and
data. With the high benefit and expense of computing technology, this
information has become a source of power and control within organizations. This,
in turn, creates a potential conflict between Boomers, who value
institutionalization, and Gen Xers, who perceive information as an essential tool
for enabling their work.
Generation Y
Born 1977-1998 during globalization
Characterized by the rise in instant communication technologies
Gen Y was raised at the most child-centric time in our history. Showers of
attention and high expectations from parents foster a great deal of
selfconfidence.

This generation is typically team-oriented, banding together to socialize rather

than pairing off. They work well in groups, preferring team over individual
endeavors. Theyre good multi-taskers, so expect them to work hard. They
expect structure in the workplace, acknowledge and respect positions and titles,
and want a relationship with their boss. This doesnt always mesh with Gen Xers
love of independence and a hands-off style.

New to the workplace, this group is perhaps the most in need of mentoring. The
good news is they respond well to personal attention. They appreciate structure
and stability, therefore mentoring Millennials (yet another moniker for Gen Yers)
should be more formal, with set meetings and a more authoritative attitude on
the mentors part.
RIM practices in this era have moved well beyond the physical world. Both the
information and the records being created by the information explosion as well
as the tools, applications, and systems used to manage them have created an
expectation that all institutional information and records should be instantly
available.
At the same time, the increased burden of meeting legislative compliance
mandates has dramatically increased the complexity of managing electronic and
physical records. Gen Y workers and citizens have such a high expectation of
instant access to information and records not just the records themselves, but
the data or information within those records that the available tools and
technologies have yet to meet their demands.
Technology Gaps
One of the most noticeable gaps among these generations pertains to
technology, which certainly affects the RIM community on both sides those
individuals who are responsible for maintaining records and information and
those individuals who access the information.
Boomers are on the late end of the technology adoption curve, having grown up
long before the rise of technology. However, they have made much progress in
familiarizing themselves with and using modern technology and the Web. They
have even developed online social communities, especially for their
contemporaries. This is supported by a December 2008 TV Land study, More
and More Baby Boomers Embrace Technology (www.findingdulcinea.com), that
reveals Boomers use technology primarily for entertainment and keeping
connected with others through new gadgets.
Boomers tend to have a limited view of technologys role in optimizing workplace
efficiency; they tend to look at business systems as discrete integrated solutions
designed to meet a specific need. As technology systems continue to evolve, this
generation must be open-minded about exploring the latest technology
solutions.
Gen X saw the inception of the home computer, the rise of video games, and the
use of the Internet as a tool for social and commercial purposes. They are
technologically savvy and competent at managing the technology and
themselves to get the job done. Gen Xers use technology to support lifestyle
needs as well (e.g., purchasing goods, communicating).

Gen Y, also known as Thumbers for how fast they thumb their cell phones or PDA
keypads, have a unique familiarity with technology that vastly exceeds their
predecessors.
According to Social Media Optimization Blog by David Wilson in an August 2008
post, tech is embedded into everything Gen Yers do, making them the first
native online population. They are early adopters of new technologies; they
adapt to change more quickly than Gen Xers and eons faster than Baby
Boomers. They assume technology can be adapted to meet their practical needs
ahead of the actual technology development. They tend to anticipate new
technologies and accept and adopt what becomes available without hesitation
provided it enables them to meet their objectives in personal and professional
environments.
Gen Yers are more intimate with the interactive and collaborative technologies
that are ever-present in their educational, social, and professional lives.
Concurrent management of large, complex social networks is routine for this
group. They are comfortable with, and even prefer, learning via interactive
technology experiences outside of a traditional classroom.
Managing, Mentoring for Differences
All three generations embrace technology to increase workplace efficiency.
However, employers must be aware that Gen Y digital natives may grow
impatient with the applications that are the lifeblood of many corporations;
applications they might consider tired. Finding ways for these systems to
provide the value these workers anticipate and expect within their terms
unified, electronic, and mobile will enable and encourage them to participate
more fully in the organization.
Unique generational perspectives about information may also influence RIM
practices. Knowledge management (KM) was conceived as a Boomer
management initiative, and Gen Xers were foot-soldiers. Social media, on the
other hand, is being spawned by Gen Y, with Gen Xers serving as mentors, while
they move into middle and senior management, according to Social Media vs.
Knowledge Management: A Generational War by Venkatesh Rao
(www.enterprise2blog.com) and Generation Blend: Managing Across the
Technology Age Gap by Rob Salkowitz. Gen Yers openly share their ideas as part
of their team mentality and are willing to find and try new approaches to attain
objectives.
In summary, the current generational mix in todays workplace is changing the
way we view management of information one of an organizations most
precious resources. As these new attitudes permeate the RIM community, its
important to be prepared to mentor, educate, and manage the unique mix of
employees to bridge generational gaps. If an organization recognizes and
manages these generational differences, employees will be more engaged and
the organization will likely ensure a more effective RIM environment.

http://content.arma.org/IMM/IMMJanuaryFebruary2010/IMM0110leveraginggenerationalworkstyles.aspx

Generation X vs Y
March 15, 2012
Categories: Industry Insights
Tags: career | gen x | gen y | generation | generation gap | generation
x | generation y | jobs | Justin Bieber |KellyMitchell | mthruf.com | older
workers | Tom Searcy | workplace

The perplexity of the generation gap

is felt by all generations at some point in their life. It seems every
generation has an opinion about how other generations operate, from
themusic teenagers choose to staff meetings in the workplace. Even
though the difference in opinions on Justin Bieber is unlikely to be resolved
anytime soon, it is possible for Gen-X and Gen-Y to work together in a
cohesive multi-generational team. Here are a few old-school and newschool rules to keep in mind about your fellow generations in the
workplace:

Take note of these rules and see how Gen-X and Gen-Y can work together.
While employees from different generations have a different way of
working, the end goal is usually the same. So reach out to your younger or
older counterparts and learn something new!
http://kellymitchell.com/2012/03/generation/