DaveOlson.ca

Dave,

Sitting right at 37 1/2 as I type this, I’m seeing this from several different perspectives, plus I have 2 teenagers at home, so I’m diluted…err, I mean ENRICHED by that experience as well.

I think the key to bringing the 2 generations together lies in open-mindedness. If the younger generation thinks that the older generation is all about incomprehensible ideals, while the older gen thinks the same thing of the younger gen, then it’s like trying to clap with one hand…

I also think that respect is part of the equation. If either generation is thinking that they can use the other generation’s gifts – but only as a means to an end – then the project is doomed from jump street. As a culture, we don’t have to agree with other people in order to work with them for mutual – and long-term – benefit.

Off the top of my head, the first thought that came to mind was group collaboration projects designed specifically for that purpose.

Say (just for example) that one person wanted to build a new community center in their neighborhood. In order to ensure that the IDEA ITSELF was sound, a panel of entrepreneurs anywhere from 22 to 62 years old was set up to put the idea on the drawing board as a “generation collaboration”, and then work together to make it happen.

Come to think of it, that’s not a bad name for the community center!

I think those are GREAT ideas, Dave! 2 heads have always been better than one in any given situation, and if you take heads from 2 completely different generations, I can only imagine that the effect would be amplified even more.

Hi Dave,
Sorry I’m late. I think these ideas are wonderful! Here are my thoughts to throw into the pot.

Connections happen one person at a time. That’s how heads and hearts meet. That’s how we find the ground on which to stand. So if we were to find a way to invite — announce an invitation — to a one on one kind of conversation. There might be a way to make something lasting.

I’m a writer. Is there a 20-something out there who wants to adopt me?

Liz! I will gadly adopt you!

Dave, how can you always write posts like that? You know the kinda posts that makes you think! Love that!

I got your e-mail, I haven’t replied yet, cause this post is worth a lenghty reply, and I can’t write one just like that, but it so happens that I read your post when you published it, and been thinking about it, and hehe I talked about it with my mom (who is a boomer), so here’s my reply!

Of course being 24 y/o I cannot and don’t want to see things like a boomer I kinda wanna “work my way” there, and you definitely have more experience of life in general than me, but one things for sure I would love to have the same level of experience as you Dave, or as my mother and father (smart mom is 53 and rich dad is 60, I guess my job is to get wealthy, so i’d be the wealthy kid lol, and we could have a familly reunion on my blog hehe)

Ok, so how could geny’ers and boomers work together and help make this world a better place? Well, I think we’re already working together (proof is you commenting on my blog giving ideas, sharing your experiences, and me doing the same on yours)

I really really find Aaron’s idea brilliant!

it can be quite difficult to make geny’ers “collaborate” with boomers, a lot of geny’ers see boomers as, you know, the old generation, and many wanna do things on their own, without the help of boomers (I’m saying that because that’s what I heard and observed, talking and chatting with friends, but I definitely don’t share the same opinions as them, I think it could be way more beneficial to have boomers and geny’er working together, see Liz helped me sooooooo much with my blog, she has the experience and the knowledge, which I didn’t have when I started!). You know what? I care way more about the opinions and ideas of 1 boomer than I care about 10 geny’ers “speaking their minds out loud”, reason is, boomers have a lot more experience! that’s it!

Ok, so we have “experience” and we have “dynamism”, if we can put the 2 together the results could be amazing!

I suggest we team up, I’m a geny’er, you’re a boomer, let’s work together, ask me questions, I’ll ask you questions, let’s share our thoughts, ideas, opinions and points of view. If you’re a boomer, team up with a GenY’er, and the two of you can work together, and definitely achieve amazing results, and help make this world a better place!

So who wants to team up with me?

*sorry for the long reply Dave, but I could write a book on the topic! hehe (umm, maybe I should! hey why not write one? We have boomers and geny’ers! “Generations getting together to reach a higher level” how does that sound for a title? )

I have a feeling we can go really far with this!

So wanna team up with me?

It would be so fun to collaborate with another designer, especially one looking for a mutually beneficial relationship. It’s my passion, but sometimes I get lost in the mundane. Discussing ideas with people really sparks an excitement in me!

I think Liz said it best so far: “Connections happen one person at a time.”

Like Wendy, I’m a GenX’er, as long as we’re labeling. But for an example, I had no problems connecting at SOBCon with Jonathan, nor with Director Tom. I did have trouble connecting with some of the other GenY’ers, and some of the Boomers. It didn’t have anything to do with age, it had to do with how “heads and hearts meet”.

I look at some kids/GenZ/GenY/GenX/Boomers/whatever these days and think, “they’re just like me.” And others, I feel a gap. Age seems to have nothing to do with it, but mindset, openness, worldview… these things matter a lot (at least in the beginning).

I suppose I’m saying that if people perceive a block in relating, getting help with that would be really useful — and, it’d be fine to call it a ‘generational’ thing, but I think at its core it’s a ‘personal’ thing.

I agree with Aaron that there needs to be a high level of respect, as a foundation for something like this to work.

I also agree with Liz that connections happen BEST one person at a time. You know I would definitely adopt you Liz. We’ll discuss terms when I see you in two hours.

I think Jonathan brings up a great point that we ARE already collaborating, by having this and many other conversations via blogging. People often feel alot more comfortable talking from behind the computer, but as long as the brilliant ideas get transferred I don’t see a problem with that.

Jonathan, if you’re thinking about writing a book – you know Liz is the person to talk to

Here is what I believe. The first thing that needs to be done in order to connect Boomers and GenYers is the removal of the labels, “boomers” and “GenYers”. If this was an organizational setting, this could be accomplished by removing hierarchy. If everyone works together as a peer, than brain storming and idea making can occur without people worrying about condescending or judgemental opinions of others.

Another crucial aspect to working together is defining clear goals. What ARE we all going to work on together? End world hunger? A greener planet? World peace?

Perhaps we should just pretend there is not gap. Let’s move this conversation into the creation stage. Now that we’re all perfectly able and willing to work together, let’s decide what we’re going to be working together on.

In my opinion, what would help bridge the gap between two generations is the improvement of communication skills. The mentality of getting into someone’s head to see their point of view, staying open minded, and being able to empathize with the people you want to connect with is crucial to such a movement.

Perhaps the message we should be spreading/advocating/teaching is the improvement of conversation skills.

Would there ever be a war if the two sides could talk things out?

Would there be world hunger, in a world of abundance, if we could talk out a way to get food from point A (abundance and waste) to point B (scarcity and starvation)?

If we could all come together, and figure out the importance of preserving the planet, would pollution still exist?

You are all so important to me. I’m right here with you.

Wow – great conversation. I have friends of many ages. Depends on our energy and what we find in common. Count me in on this project.

Sandy

the most helpful thing right now?

I’d say.. Ideas, I’m in the process of writing my ebook (conversational blogging and social interaction/networkig) and for example, Dave, you’re doing extremely good with that, engaging discussions, conversations and all. I’m doing pretty good on my blog too, but I can always use more ideas, fresh perspective, and ideas from people that are not actually working on that ebook with me, people from outside, to give some tips and tricks, opinions, share their experiences.

Since this ebook will be available for download on my blog (it’s not ready yet though, it’s in the early stages) people who contribute would get a mention/links in my ebook, so it’s win-win. So yeah, the most helpful thing right now, for me, would be ideas, and people sharing their experiences, and their own tips. How do you start a conversation Dave? Liz? Alex? Robyn? Sandy? Wendy? Adam? LaurenMarie? Aaron?

Hi Dave,
Sometimes just sharing experience helps. I’ve been thinking a lot about when I was that age. Some experiences don’t change despite the century we live in. This morning I wrote this one.

Personal Identity: Being True to Yourself

It’s about discovering my own path.

Robyn! Thank you very very much!
ok, heading to your blog to read it ! Thanx again! (if I use parts of it, I will, of course, give proper credits)