THE TECHNOLOGICAL REVOLUTION AND THE GENERATION GAP
In today's society a new revolution is taking place. This revolution is bloodless and defies the idea that revolutions must be sudden changes. This revolution began with a whole new generation that brought computers with them from boyhood to adulthood (Gates 2-3). To the older generation, however, this slow peaceful revolution seems a sudden and scary change (Kamenka 286). The power that technology offers has for centuries defined something we call the Generation Gap. Technology and power represent a difference in experiences, opportunities, ideas, and processes that define each new generation. This fairly recent revolution appears to have happened so fast and created so many new and different opportunities that the gap between generations appears to have widened at an incredible pace. The very exercise of this technological power secures advantages over those who do not understand it and creates inequities (Rifkin 65). The concept of progress, however, also provides humanity with a freedom and universality (Kamenka 287) that were not available before. Much like the Balkan Revolutions of the early twentieth century, the scientific revolution may only seem revolutionary to the people who are personally affected by it. For others it may appear to be a normal part of a developmental process (Kuhn 92-3). For purposes of the generation gap, we will consider the pros and cons concerning how technology affects the different age groups that were or were not exposed to technology at a young age.
CONS
Technology has altered lifestyles and living patterns throughout the last century. Nuclear power, the space age, and even modern medical advances are all examples of how technology has affected lifestyles. But until now none of these technologies had been connected to our daily lives so closely or so repeatedly. Now, most TV commercial show URL addresses at the bottom of the screens and many applications for employment ask for e-mail addresses. This new generation of computer literate and Internet literate individuals has created a panic in the business sector and among older individuals. Jeremy Rifkin argues that in the work force productivity gains will not be felt by everyone. He writes that the middle and working classes should expect to see a decrease in job security, a decrease in wages, and possible social unrest (68) because the next generation of workers will be an elite group of young engineers, computer programmers, and technicians. A study published in Maclean's states that 63% of the older generation believes that the biggest difference defining the generation gap is an understanding of new technologies (Chidley 25). These beliefs create a general fear that this revolution will throw out those who cannot adapt (Chidley 25). Bill Gates even warns in his book The Road Ahead that the new technological revolution will call for a need for worker retraining, and he believes it will alter the relationship between nations and socio-economic groups (Gates 251). Along with fear technology offers broken promises. Each new innovation is touted as a way to save work for mankind. The electric razor saves precious morning minutes. The wheel was used by cavemen so that they could carry more stones. These time-saving devices come with a big lie: that these savings in time will be transferred into more leisure time later. The time "saved" has now been used to work more or harder. By being able to take your computers home work can be done at home. 43% of people polled in a Maclean's study believe that the increase in computer use has decreased leisure time and increased complication of lives (Chidley 25).
PROS
On the other side of the debate are those who believe that technology has served the generation gap in a positive manner. Technology offers people the ability to become aware of information, and it is an integral part of our society. We have cellular phones, programmable VCRs, TV remote controls, CDs instead of the old relic vinyl discs, CD-ROMs to store large amounts of information, pay-per-view TV, and home shopping to name a few. The fear that these innovation will take jobs and decrease wages is unfounded according to Garrett DeYoung of Computerworld. After studying several companies he concluded that many companies are giving the older apprehensive workers a chance to master new technology before recruiting outside of the company (47). He also writes that there is a trend in business that employers want people with interpersonal skills such as teamwork, leadership, and problem solving over computer people. Many companies are also helping these employees adapt through on-site training and developmental courses (DeYoung 46). An argument can also be made that technology will mean shorter workweeks. Peter Slavin writes that it is possible for the next generation to see social capital as important as market capital due to a shorter working day. This shortening allows workers to spend more time with their families, to foster education, to increase volunteerism, and to bring people together (Slavin 12). The changes that the western world saw during the industrial revolution can also be seen in the technological revolution because people are experiencing shorter workweeks and increased capital (Rifkin 66). Bill Gates positively proclaims that technology will enrich our culture and give us more control and organization over our lives (Gates 250). Each advocate and critic of the technological revolution will argue the pros and cons as long as people will listen, but in the end the realization can be made that the "Information Age" is upon us, and it is defining who were are and putting distance between this generation, the past generation, and the future generations.
There seem to be two things that define the technological revolution:
The New Permanence that it provides
and
The Humanity that it Questions
