The E-Generation

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As a Baby Boomer growing up in Malad, Idaho in the 70s, I remember doing fun things with friends such as cruising main, meeting at the movies or bowling alley, and just hanging out together. Long distance calls cost way too much to spend a lot of time talking on the dial-up phone, and not much time was spent watching television unless it was a good show like The Wild, Wild West, Bonanza, or Beverly Hillbillies. Personal computers and the Internet were considered the stuff of science fiction.

Although several companies tried to enter the personal computer market with their version of simple computers that seemed more like sophisticated toys, it wasn’t until Apple and Microsoft jumped in that people started to take the personal computer seriously. My first computer was a used Macintosh 512 Enhanced that cost me $1,800 in 1987. It had no hard drive, only one floppy drive, and I could do basic word processing, simple spreadsheet computing and play a few games, but not much else.

The Internet crept into our lives in the early 90s it was a novelty that became more interesting and eventually morphed into a very useful tool when search engines developed and email became popular. Its value grew rapidly until it eventually became essential to many individuals. The scarcity of websites and complexity of usage evolved into abundance and simplicity so that practically anyone could use the new tools and find almost anything. Like a crystal ball, one could ask this amazing device any question, and from the ethereal realm of the World Wide Web would come answers from distant sages.

A whole generation has grown up with their lives centered on the amazing capabilities of the Internet and all that it has to offer. They have also become ardent users of the endless array of entertainment options that are available. Want to watch a movie, TV show, get a laugh, play a game or talk to someone half-way around? It’s simple, inexpensive and can provide an endless stream of entertainment 24/7.

As we became more adept at connecting with others through email and social networking sites, we became more dependent on staying in touch with others on a regular basis. Games became more sophisticated and interactive, shows and movies could be downloaded and watched on your phone and now we are in the full-swing of services and enhancements that have made the Internet an essential part of the existence of many individuals.

In fact, the Internet has fostered a new generation I’d like to label the E-Generation, for Entertainment Generation. This is not just a new age category or a re-labeling of Generation X or Y because this generation can cut across multiple age groups and has created a new class of people that have to be continuously entertained, like an addict has a need to get his next buzz.
The E-Generation person spends more time socializing with friends on the flat screen than she does in person. Gaming can be done for hours before hunger or fatigue set in. The abundance of personal computers and especially giving every high school student a PC has contributed greatly to the addiction developed by those still struggling through adolescence.

Don’t get me wrong, there are many wonderful capabilities and sites available on the Internet; however, it can be either a productive slave or a demanding task master, depending on a person’s ability to exercise self-discipline. Responsibility and moderation are essential with any euphoric substance that can deaden the senses with overuse.

If you feel like you or a loved one has become an Internet zombie by becoming someone who craves constant entertainment or spends too much face time with the PC, iPad, Android or other connective device, then it may be time to unwind and bring more real-time to your life. If you could reroute all those hours being entertained toward productive or purposeful activities, you could easily develop a new skill, prepare for a new career, start an exercise program, or just build stronger relationships with loved ones – in person.

If you’re constantly looking for your next entertainment buzz, then maybe it’s time to ask if you’ve joined the E-Generation. For those too young or weak to exercise self-discipline, it may be necessary to apply external discipline by restricting time on the computer or Internet. Like trying to break any habit, this can be difficult unless a serious commitment is made to restrict usage and replace the extra time with more productive or life-enhancing activities.