Gen Y may end up ‘intellectual lightweights’ because of technology: Pew

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – There is a good chance young people growing up in today’s always-wired world will eventually become bright, nimble decision makers – if they don’t wind up intellectual lightweights unable to concentrate long enough to chew over a good book. So say 1,021 technology insiders, critics and students surveyed by the Pew Research Center who were fairly evenly split about how always-on technology will impact the teenagers and twenty-somethings of “Generation Y.”

source

I've always thought technology and the ability for people, especially young people, to be connected to one another 24/7/365, will have consequences. Well, new research is shedding light on this.

The United States is pouring more money than ever before into public education and college education, yet test scores continue declining and people seem to be getting dumber.

I see it whenever I go into public. Everyone acts like zombies, texting away on their phones. Sometimes I just have to stop and take it all in. Go to Walmart or the grocery store and just stop and observe how people act for a few minutes. It's astonishing! We've become a society of dumbed down techno zombies. Kids spend the majority of their time playing video games instead of tinkering in the garage and going outside to play.

This post on the best of Craigslist sums it up perfectly:

I just got back from a trip to Wegmans and am in awe at the current state/behaivor/mindset of "people". As I'm walking in, I go to grab a cart and notice three guys (late teens/early 20's) all standing together but on their cell phones texting and blocking the majortiy of carts. So I sidestep them and grab a cart from the sole lane they weren't blocking. I get my cart and proceed but I can't help but notice the people lined up to return bottles/cans. I'm not knocking them (I'm pro-recycle) but it looked like they literally crawled out of a dumpster and needed the deposit money to get through the night. I asked myself "why don't they just stop consuming this sugarwater and use the money for a necessity?" Then I realized Coke and Pepsi are a necessity for the majority of people in this country. I should also point out that each one was overweight (if not obese).

best of Craigslist

Well... there are a couple different ways to look at this. In a lot of ways kids today have more knowledge than ever in recorded history. 100+ years ago if you could read and write you were educated. Now 15 year olds are doing Algebra and learning world geography. The basic biology and chemistry taught in high school surpass what the common person knew in the 1800's. I think what is lacking are the basic necessity skills that aren't required in this era of history like farming, hunting, sewing, etc.

reply to post by jjkenobi


I get what you're saying, but it seems that kids, at least in the US, hit a peak in the 90s perhaps. There's so many articles out about how 50% of high school students don't know basic geography. In one study, over 50% of high school kids didn't know which ocean was to the east of the United States!

reply to post by Drew99GT


Thats funny... I always seem to catch myself explaining technology to people outside my generation

Putting the shoe on the other foot...

There's a lot of adults nowadays who, because of their infamiliarity with technology, are unable to efficiently operate a cell phone, get online, or access the wide variety of resources technology has to offer.

This isn't the "technology age", so much as the "information age".

What I mean by this is that technology is rampant; but why do we use it? Because information and communications are readily available at the push of a button. In old times, you either found it in a book, heard it from someone (who perhaps didn't know a darn thing they were talking about), or didn't know it at all.

Now, you know anything that isn't classified by the CIA, just by Googling it.

And it isn't as though the younger generation is not encouraged to seek book-bound education. When I was in college and high school, books were a huge staple in the educational diet. In fact, they restricted the resources cited by the internet...you were required, for the majority of essays, to find more sources in print than in digital format.

Technology has a way of tempting man to seek easier and more efficient methods of completing tasks...but if this is not the goal of our society (as taught by scientists and professors) then what is? I vote for spiritual advancement, since we have the technology of a utopia locked away in CIA offices, but that's just my opinion. Digressing...

"Take away computers, and what do you have? You'd be helpless!" I have overheard this more times than I care to admit, and my response is the equally-accurate "Take away your car and your phone. What would you do? You're helpless!"

No matter where you are, you rely on technology in one form or another. In my honest opinion, I would rather our younger generation rely on the more capable means...and since every book in print can be ordered online, or has an e-version available (if it's important, or been printed within the last decade or so) I would go with the Internet, and technology.

After all, if you have to choose...why stay behind the curve?


Namaste

Being "part" this generation, (im 25), i not heavily depended on my phone, i only use it for its original use, calling. I lived through no phone to everyone phone time line, which would be 1999, where barely anyone had a phone to 2012, even a 9 yr old has a phone.

I often seen my peers... whenever we meet, we talk.. after few minutes, its goes all quiet, and one guy takes out his phone, and than rest of them takes out their phone and start texting and smiling at their screen.

This generation is advanced in education but fails hard in common behaviour..

Originally posted by Gwampo
reply to post by Drew99GT

 

Thats funny... I always seem to catch myself explaining technology to people outside my generation

You mean those dumb asses back during WWII who could produce, without all this magical technology, and with the brains and resources from no where else but America, one B24 Liberator an hour?

reply to post by Drew99GT

Kids spend the majority of their time playing video games instead of tinkering in the garage and going outside to play.

I think a lot of kids certainly do, but not all. I work with kids and you'd be surprised at how bright and intelligent kids today are. In fact, research shows something called the "Flynn Effect": IQs are actually going UP over time, rather than down. If you want to learn more about that topic, Google it.

My own 2 children DEFINITELY don't spend all of their time playing video games. We don't even have to monitor or restrict their use of video games, because they play them so seldomly. (NOTE: we do NOT, however, have any games rated "M", which I wouldn't allow them to play at home, so I AM restricting the content of the games they might choose to play.)

One of my sons loves the computer, and he has taught himself to code. He sells java plug-ins that he creates for one of the online computer games he is active in. He is definitely using his mind at higher levels, and this month he has earned enough $ to buy himself a few things.

My other son never plays video games OR the computer, even though we have a couple of gaming systems and he has his own computer. He'd rather be barefoot and shirtless outside climbing a tree or throwing a stick, practically all year round.

There are certainly examples out there of the "mindless zombies" you mentioned, but I think saying this entire generation is like that is going a bit too far.

It's not just 'kids' who are glued to their phone.

I see lots of parents who are well over 35 who completely ignore their kids and text or are looking at their phones non-stop, whether it is in restaurants, on the bus, wherever. I feel sorry for the kids, many of whom just seem to want someone to pay attention to them.

As for modern technology they said the same thing about TV.

The creepiest thing I ever seen were these two gals(late teens early 20's) in a pizzeria. I went to pick up a pizza, and as I was waiting at the cash register I couldn't help but notice them not talking to each other at all(was for like 5 minutes). But they where texting like crazy.

Chicks who are addicted to texting are disgusting(from a heterosexual male point of view, similar to how heterosexual gal's dislike guy's addicted to gaming).

reply to post by Drew99GT


I think it has to do with the fact that we know if we try to invent(insert idea) either:

a) we will be killed

b) our patent will be denied so a big corporation could steal it

c) it was already invented 30 years ago but the NSA has a secret patent on it.


Added to the fact that when many of us older gen Y went to High School cheating was a problem. Me I am an idealist at heart. I remember the pride I felt when I enrolled in my first honors course. Then I quickly realized most of my classmates where cheats.. It was depressing. Why bother trying when we live in a society that actively enables cheaters to get ahead.

We live in a society that actively discourages hard work, honest success and technological development.

Look at Google and other science fairs that take ideas over finished product(as long as the ideas are coming from girls).

www.gizmag.com...

Add in the fact that the main mechanism for education, the educational system(from K-12 to University) is controlled by rabid, male hating bigots. And because of their actions, males who wish to get a decent and fair education have as much chance as Jewish Americans did in the 1800's.

So if you old geezers want to complain, complain about your own damn cowardice as a war is being declared against Americas boys.

Originally posted by jjkenobi
Well... there are a couple different ways to look at this. In a lot of ways kids today have more knowledge than ever in recorded history. 100+ years ago if you could read and write you were educated. Now 15 year olds are doing Algebra and learning world geography. The basic biology and chemistry taught in high school surpass what the common person knew in the 1800's.

Well, I would edit this to say "kids today have ACCESS to more knowledge than ever" but this generation in general is lacking in basic critical thinking skills, and other basic skills like problem solving, face to face interaction, social skills, conversation, etc.

I think what is lacking are the basic necessity skills that aren't required in this era of history like farming, hunting, sewing, etc.

Agreed. And playing Farmville won't solve this problem.

Originally posted by ns9504

Well, I would edit this to say "kids today have ACCESS to more knowledge than ever" but this generation in general is lacking in basic critical thinking skills, and other basic skills like problem solving, face to face interaction, social skills, conversation, etc.

^This. I know that many in the younger generation can use technology like nobody's business, however, if you were to ask them how to problem solve issues with the technology or write the programs that makes a lot of things possible, you'll get blank stares. This isn't taught anymore. My generation could do these things.

These kids aren't stupid, that's true. When you speak to them, you understand that much. Most are very bright. However, this constant dependence on technology and over-exposure at a very young age has meddled with a critical stage in their development.

And, just because Algebra is now taught in the sixth grade doesn't mean these kids get it. They certainly do not have the basics down. They shut down when confronted with that sort of thing. I know more than a few seventh graders who couldn't do first grade math if their lives depended on it. I think the system has been designed to fail them there (but that's another conspiracy for another thread).

reply to post by Drew99GT
I hate my cell phone. I need it for work, but that's about it.

Just today I bought the worldbook encyclopedia set for my son.

Books. Made of paper. He is also going to learn to write, and speak correctly.

We all use computers in my house, but it is strictly monitored and regulated. (I rule as a benign dictator)

Originally posted by LeSigh

Originally posted by ns9504

Well, I would edit this to say "kids today have ACCESS to more knowledge than ever" but this generation in general is lacking in basic critical thinking skills, and other basic skills like problem solving, face to face interaction, social skills, conversation, etc.

^This. I know that many in the younger generation can use technology like nobody's business, however, if you were to ask them how to problem solve issues with the technology or write the programs that makes a lot of things possible, you'll get blank stares. This isn't taught anymore. My generation could do these things.

edit on 3-3-2012 by LeSigh because: (no reason given)

BS. Most boomers are morons(or we wouldn't be in the state we are). A generation of worthless, narcissistic psychopaths.

If you think Gen Y doesn't know how to do stuff check out the "Nexus.com", a moding website for Bethesda games.

Your just trying to make yourself feel better because your probably bald, fat and limp.

reply to post by Drew99GT


Sounds like more thinly-veiled mocking of my generation by curmudgeons that are in a uproar over technology. When aren't they?

Yes, it's annoying when people block aisles by texting. I'd tell them to #ing move it.

As for the bottles? Don't pick on people who pick them. I've done that before just to get a loaf of bread or a carton of milk.

reply to post by korathin


I actually agree with you!

Seems like boomers are some of the most tech-adverse people ever.

They're so used to the 1950s that they never really left!

Originally posted by korathin

Originally posted by LeSigh
^This. I know that many in the younger generation can use technology like nobody's business, however, if you were to ask them how to problem solve issues with the technology or write the programs that makes a lot of things possible, you'll get blank stares. This isn't taught anymore. My generation could do these things.

BS. Most boomers are morons(or we wouldn't be in the state we are). A generation of worthless, narcissistic psychopaths.

Really? Source please

If you think Gen Y doesn't know how to do stuff check out the "Nexus.com", a moding website for Bethesda games.

This is your best example? Nexus.com It's a manufacturing site for audio frequency plugs and jacks...

Your just trying to make yourself feel better because your probably bald, fat and limp.

If I may........You'RE just trying to make yourself feel better because You'RE probably bald, fat and limp.

An ad hominem (Latin for "to the man" or "to the person"), short for argumentum ad hominem, is an attempt to negate the truth of a claim by pointing out a negative characteristic or belief of the person supporting it. It is distraction, not substance.

Try again.

I don't really get the big deal about why people are offended by other peoples texting?
So what? It isn't really my business as a bystander what people do to kill time while standing in queues.
Isn't it better than seeing people standing like zombies zoned out looking into space?

And my son is 27 and grew up with the net, gaming and later on mobile phones.
But with his low boredom threshold, he also got jack of the net and gaming after a while too and went off and
did other things. So it balanced out. He's incredibly bright and runs his own business which is where his ease
with technology has been a bonus. He saved heaps in being able to set up and get his business online by doing a lot of it himself.

So it's not a total waste of time. You just have to give these kids and young adults a chance to incorporate their know how into their jobs and businesses later on in life.

Originally posted by korathin

Originally posted by LeSigh
^This. I know that many in the younger generation can use technology like nobody's business, however, if you were to ask them how to problem solve issues with the technology or write the programs that makes a lot of things possible, you'll get blank stares. This isn't taught anymore. My generation could do these things.

edit on 3-3-2012 by LeSigh because: (no reason given)

BS. Most boomers are morons(or we wouldn't be in the state we are). A generation of worthless, narcissistic psychopaths.

If you think Gen Y doesn't know how to do stuff check out the "Nexus.com", a moding website for Bethesda games.

Your just trying to make yourself feel better because your probably bald, fat and limp.

Aren't you a ray of sunshine? I'm not a boomer, young assumer. I'm part of Generation X. I'm actually fit and look younger than a lot of women ten to fifteen years younger than myself. Nice try, but no dice.

I deal with young members of Gen Y on a daily basis. My reality on that score is vastly different from yours because I see the big issues and they're getting worse every year. These kids are generally not critical thinkers by and large. Also, do notice my usage of many in my first post. By no means did I say all. However, it won't be my problem for much longer (as I'm sick of teaching and am leaving after this year).

Thanks for playing and throwing around ad homs, by the way! You've really made the world a better place today and contributed something worthwhile.

ETA: And, in defense of Baby Boomers (my parents' generation): Many of them are not horrible people. They have skills that have been lost to my own generation (and yours). While we're at it, I especially admire the Greatest Generation (my grandparents' generation). The kids that grew up during the Great Depression and then went on to fight in WWII and live after have a skill set that we should all be envious of.