Cultural Groups - The Rise of Generations

As much as we want to see how mass media has influenced many as of this time, it's best for us to backtrack on what our generation has developed media and their consumption. For this, we'll start out with the very moment when tonnes of media is introduced.

We'll start with the;

1. Baby Boomers

These generation got it's nickname from their critical rise of birth rate at that time. This is the time where television, radio, poster propaganda has pretty much influenced them in their daily lives. This is where the generation asks for a change, having lots of content to tell after the major event of their lives, the Second World War. Seeing the wars consequences, much of their action are on civil rights, trying of bridge the gap between boundaries at that time. Baby boomers expect for their surroundings to change over time, meaning a pace for a 'better world' is critical rather than to stuck in one discipline. This generation uses radios and television as their crucial media for their changes in life, and most notable events recorded in media were their catalyst for a better change.


2. Generation X

These generation is also known as the MTV generation, where the music industry begins to bloom and idols become a central part of their influence. Unlike their previous generations who challenges leaders on their roles, this generation seems to use their own set of mind to portray themselves. They are often viewed as rebellious, but strangely they are the most well educated and controlled generations during these media booms. This might be due to their paradigm shift from one school of thought to another. Most of their media is the introduction of Music Television (or PV), the rise of video games, and the rise of many music genres. They usually use this to portray their expressions, and media consumption is somewhat a way to portray their identity. Their expression is somewhat of a controversy, such as violence in video games and some suggested themes in the music industry, but it does touch out their aspects as well, (meaning to tell that are we aware of this and do we tend to fix it or let it destroy you?) As such, these generation was the more eye opening generations in media consumption, touching the zone which was needed to be expressed.


3. Generation Y

Also known as the Echo Generation or Millennial generation, these groups of people that are gradually influenced by the Internet and the increase usage of technology. These groups usually breaks social boundaries and being able of convey their message to one another regardless of obstacles. These groups tend to make their own content rather then following other discipline, citing for self-recognition against the already contributing generations. These group of people seems to have much interest of themselves that other generation since they saw what other generations mistakes are and tend to avoid it using their own way. Their expectations are much higher, and this might be a problem for them to coupe with other members. Social networking and websites are usually their tools to express their self-recognition to the world. Their media consumption is high, as they are expecting their media to be more advanced and new in a very short period of time, making this group the most creative and intuitive yet the most uncertain in what their future holds, since most of these groups use media rather than making a new one and are uncertain of their ways. Their paradigm seems to be more on themselves rather than accepting other ideas.

4. Generation Z

These generation are mostly influenced by the current Internet and to boom of portable mobile devices. Unlike their previous generation which their media was introduced, this generation lives with every media available from the start (in other words, this generation is much more 'pampered' with their tools are already on the get go.) Everything else seems irrelevant to them and their expectations are much more higher on media consumption. Most of them use media as a consumable item rather than a making a change on it.


In conclusion, as generation passes, it seems that the introduction of media seems to makes a big impact to our development. But when media is evolving faster, and expectations are high, it's best to question ourselves whether media is going to help us evolve or leading us to much more problems. Or as a human, are we able to be efficient problem solvers to our everyday troubles.

That, might be the effort and work in our very own hands.

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_boomer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Y
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Z