The Clash of Generations

Let us begin with a little riddle: given these numerous clues, can you guess whom we are speaking of?

? They neither read books nor print newspapers, but stay informed through social media, podcasts, and online videos.

? They do not watch live television; as for the radio, it is virtually unknown to them.

? They never write by hand, only using a computer, tablet, or PC.

? They cannot conceive of a job that does not offer at least two or three days of remote work.

? They handle all their affairs online, never imagining setting foot inside a bank branch.

? They prefer texting over calling when sharing news.

? They are not careerists, at least not in the traditional sense of a linear professional trajectory.

...And yet...

? They are well-informed about current events.

? They meticulously organize their lives through digital tools.

? They are highly efficient.

? They are masters of new technologies.

? They introduce you to apps and features you never even suspected existed.

? They are different, yet formidable in domains that remain obscure to you.

? They care about you in their own way.

? They seek meaning in their work and refuse to sacrifice their private lives to it.

These are the Digital Natives.

The Digital Natives

This term encompasses all those born after 1980, including Generation Y (born between 1980 and 2000) and even more so Generation Z (born after 2000). They have grown up with the internet (introduced in Europe in 1985), smartphones, and social media. They are incapable of envisioning a world before these technologies. Never before has the generational divide been so vast.

Older generations must make considerable efforts to keep up. Digital natives, on the other hand, are naturally attuned to the latest innovations. As a Baby Boomer, managing my LinkedIn page requires time and effort. For them, social media visibility is as effortless as breathing—enough to make an influencer envious.

The thirty-somethings of Generation Y differ greatly from their parents, whether those parents belong to Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980) or the Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964).

Differences Across All Aspects of Life

The first noticeable shift is within the family sphere. Generation Y distinguishes itself from previous generations by erasing the once-clear distinction between male and female roles. The new fathers care for their children just as the mothers of the older generation did. The new mothers provide for the household just as the fathers of the older generation did. These changes extend into child-rearing, evolving from a paradigm where a child must (learn, ask, discipline themselves) to a paradigm where a child can (do almost anything). Explanations have replaced punishments.

In the professional realm, Baby Boomers value hierarchy, structured approaches, long-term commitment to employers, and face-to-face meetings over remote work. Digital natives, by contrast, prioritize flexibility, remote work, flexible hours, and a balanced life.

As new generations rise, society transforms, forcing older generations to adapt to changes dictated by modern consumers. E-commerce supplants traditional retail stores. Cash disappears in favor of digital payments. The mobile screen replaces paper. Counters give way to websites, though the phygital world attempts to bridge both realms (interactive kiosks, virtual fitting rooms, augmented reality). Influencers now wield more power than brand prestige in consumer recommendations. Technophobes struggle to navigate their daily administrative tasks in a society where technology has replaced human interaction.

Two Modes of Communication

Whether written or spoken, language diverges. It seems we are dealing with two distinct populations, almost two different civilizations. Older generations cherish a refined, even antiquated vocabulary. Whether in formal letters or well-structured emails, their words leave the younger ones laughing out loud—literally, or rather, "LOL." The younger generations, in contrast, communicate through emojis, video calls, direct messages, and social media. When they feel the right "vibes," they pick up on your "mood"; otherwise, they will "ghost" you. For Baby Boomers, "it’s not their cup of tea" and might drive them to "throw in the towel." To some, it is a mere "fancy"; to others, a "crush."

Generally speaking, Baby Boomers maintain more formal relationships than digital natives. They use formal address more frequently, embrace less often, and naturally respect authority and tradition. Digital natives, on the other hand, challenge established norms with ease. Inclusivity and diversity are more significant to them than to their elders.

Where does one place a President belonging to Generation X, whose sometimes antiquated vocabulary echoes the nostalgia of bygone times, whether it be "hogwash" or "gibberish"? Enough with "smoke and mirrors." "By Jove!" Is it "presumptuous" to challenge those who seek to "whitewash" the system, or is it merely a sign of "intellectual stunting"?

For Baby Boomers, social ascension—the fruit of relentless work, material success, and, above all, homeownership—is a cardinal value. Digital natives, however, place greater emphasis on social and environmental causes, meaningful work, and investing in projects aligned with their convictions. And artificial intelligence? Will it be a grand replacement or a new form of synergy? One might wager that, here too, the choice remains largely generational.

Marc SEVESTRE

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