I’m a lover, not a fighter. But somehow today I got in a fight with Alex Mann on Twitter.
It was such a good fight that Timothy Wihera wrote a blog post about it.
He asked, “Is this an example of a generation that is overly sensitive about criticisms of its own norms while it doesn’t hesitate to tear down the norms of previous generations? Or is it a fair defense against an unreasonable charge”?
And here is what I have to say to them and to everyone:
You have to be willing to defend yourself. If someone is criticizing something you believe in, you have to set them straight. Maybe I was overly sensitive in reacting to his attack on Gen-Y bloggers. But I AM a Gen-Y blogger, so why wouldn’t I be sensitive about it?
I don’t think Gen-Y blogging is a farce. I know a lot of great Gen-Y bloggers (who have jobs) who write great advice that I put into practice, and share with my coworkers on a daily basis.
And Alex, if you haven’t seen any of this great Gen-Y content than I will send it to you. Probably daily.
Timothy did bring up a good point though. Are Millennials too sensitive or is it just me?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
I think Millennials are rightly sensitive to jump on any criticism.
We do it because for years, we’ve been the butt of corporate America’s jokes (sometimes literally – just do a google image search for Gen-Y). We take a stand because people don’t take us seriously; if Gen-Y succumbs to the lies we’ve been told, and starts bashing ourselves, then we’re f*cked.
I think the problem is in the context of what Alex was saying. If you interpret it one way, “Gen-Y” blogging (that is, Gen-Y as the subject) then he’s got a great point. If you interpret it as Gen-Y blogging (blogging by Gen-Y’s) then you’re bound to be mad.
I think what he’s arguing for is authenticity. Personal branding and other “trendy” things have come up and become a real mindscrew to figure out who is the real deal and who is inflating their own ego. Personal branding is a Gen-Y construction, too. Which means we all have to be on the top of our game to back up our claims.
-Nick Armstrong
web: IAmNickArmstrong.com
twitter: @ImNickArmstrong
Please don’t take this as a criticism, LOL, but yes, some Millennials are too sensitive. I RT’ed Alex Mann’s comment about the irony of out of work Gen Y bloggers blogging about getting a job because it was funny. He wasn’t slamming all Gen Y bloggers, but you and Nick seemed to think so.
Carol,
The point was lost in 140 characters. I think in the two contexts you could perceive Alex’s comment in, one painted an unfair light and one was a funny commentary aimed at the wrong audience.
Gen-Y isn’t to blame for this recession; the majority of us are at the whims of big business… and I think Alex’s comment poked a sore spot that we feel very little control over and the control we take for ourselves – blogs, has to be protected. I know what he was making fun of, but even the unemployed can give good advice; how many talented people do you know that are out of work?
In some sense, we probably took it too seriously. In another, I think we deserve to be mad as hell (not at Alex – he just formed the question, but shoe-on-podium mad).
-Nick Armstrong
web: IAmNickArmstrong.com
twitter: @ImNickArmstrong
Alex’s comment was reasonable.
If unemployed people are trying to make top 10 lists on how to get employed, that is a farce. If this is something characteristic of a certain group of unemployed people (say….Gen Y blogs), then Gen Y blogs are tainted by this.
I’m sure more Gen-Y blog posts is the last thing Alex wants.
What Alex correctly asserts is that there are entirely too many bloggers in the webspace criticizing/commenting at their desk chair, who largely have nothing to say.
I think Alex’s comment speaks to the excess of “Gen-Y” Bloggers moreso than pointing out anyone specific. No one will debate that Gen-Y produces more content (via blogs) than any generation before them. In turn, many of these blogs are largely content-lacking, regurgitating job & life advice as 23-year olds.
In my eyes, the tweet itself was nothing more than an ironic statement. I, a fellow Gen-Y blogger, chuckled and continued about my day. The fight that ensued proved your question rhetorical.
“In my eyes, the tweet itself was nothing more than an ironic statement. I, a fellow Gen-Y blogger, chuckled and continued about my day. The fight that ensued proved your question rhetorical.”
I’d comment additionally, but this is spot on. Well played.
This is my issue with Twitter. 140 characters to decide a sentiment? People are bound to take it the wrong way.
Having said that, I think blogging provides an infinitely more open and relaxed space to converse with like-minded or differently-minded individuals. I think as a Millennial, I get sensitive when I do not feel heard or I feel misunderstood. This is the case many times in our society as we are different. We are here to shake things up and change what is not working. I think my personal sensitivities are simply notifications to myself that I am on track with change. When something bothers me, it is an indication that it needs to change.
I would suggest to anyone who felt strong feelings towards what Alex Mann said and think about it from his perspective. Keep thinking about it until you understand where he is coming from then you’re there.
As a last point about the tweets, we are all in this together. As Gen-Ys we have to stand up strong together. We can’t make the changes we are here to make if we go against one another. Contrary to some popular belief; we are not lazy, we are activated in a different way and we are waiting for our day to step up and make the difference we choose to make. You cannot rush these things and you would not succeed if you did. You never know where or when genius will strike…walking in the forest, blogging about your day or ideas, working, or during meditation. As a generation, we need that inspiration to strike for you so you can do your work to make this world more ___________________. (Insert your own adjective here.)
~Sarah Walder
sarahwalder.com
Addressing the question, “Are Millennials too sensitive or is it just me?”
I agree with you all on the technology front. Because Millennials often interact via text, comment, Tweet, update and post, it may not be that Millennials are more sensitive … it may be that Millennials communicate most often through web forums where inflection is decided by the reader.
Because the online-originator often doesn’t work hard to share intended inflection (without the mad use of emoticon skillz), it seems that there is a more of a chance people could take things the wrong way with short written updates than there would be with interpersonal communication. You know, pre-interwebs.
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