Generation XYZ

We think in terms of generations and generation gaps. But the flow of generations is like a river; it never ceases, it is a continuous stream, it is not as clearly defined as some people would have you believe.

In the latest US presidential elections, the youthful demographic segment aged 18-29 broke for President-Elect Obama by a margin of 66-31. It was the largest proportion since pollsters had begun to collect such data. In a generation's time, they will be aged 48-59. It will still be too broad a demographic segment to say anything much about, except that they will be no longer youthful.

I was reading a book about the globalisation of education last night (yes, yet another one). This line caught my eye: educationists should learn to take seriously the pleasures and power of the young. It was a very thought-provoking statement.