The generational divide is sometimes a subtle thing. Language, fashion, aspirations, and concerns are often discussed in insurmountable terms. I think it is the little things that hinder communication more. Our points of reference change to create contextual barriers. My first son was born after “pushbuttons” replaced “dials” on phones leaving the context free term “dial tone” to explain. As pushbuttons became less mechanical and tactile, they became simply buttons not to be confused with clothing fasteners.
My second son came into the world when small, shiny coated aluminum CDs had already fully replaced “records” and “LPs” and “albums” the size of frisbees made of black plastic called “vinyl”. The record companies used this technological advance to sell us music we already owned setting themselves up for rebellion by the next younger group when the now digital music on CDs were freed from the physical platter entirely by personal computers followed by the internet. Some members of the WWII “greatest” generation think that iPods are radios
Technology is a tangible reference point that allows more adaptable people to keep up with changes. How our shared experiences are harder to disentangle. Case in point: I call up my two sons and say: “I’m in Bellevue”. One says “Ehh?” and the other says “Hmm”. They rarely use vowels except in acronyms like “OMG” and “LOL”. If you don’t know what those mean, you get my point. They do not know that Bellevue is across Lake Washington from Seattle though they should know I am somewhere in that vacinity.
When I say the same thing to my brother (“I’m in Bellevue”), his reaction is completely different. “You don’t want to tell that anyone else.” I immediately know what he means. For our generation, Bellevue is synonymous with incarceration in a mental institution. I don’t even know why. It has something to do with 1960’s or 70’s television. He also does not know where Bellevue Washington is on a map but the visceral reaction is completely different.
Bellevue is not as hip as Seattle to the west and not as famous as Redmond (Microsoft) to the north. The town is luckier than the stretch to the south towards Tacoma that was decimated by the decline of Boeing employment over the years that culminated in the move of their headquarters to Chicago. You would not know we are in a recession given the full city block of construction across from my brand new Courtyard hotel and the recently completed transit hub uphill from the upgraded freeway interchange.
