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Jack Myers Author of Hooked Up: A New Generation’s Surprising Take on Sex, Politics and Saving the World

Q&A With Jack Myers
Who is the Hooked Up Generation?
Unlike past generations that typically encompass a 20-30 year period, the Hooked Up Generation spans only a 5-year period, encompassing those who were born between 1991 and 1995, with the older class graduating from college and the younger class entering college in 2012. They comprise more than 95 percent of current college students. They are the special group that has grown up in the 21st century-connected world but remains encumbered by the baggage of the 20th century world they are inheriting. While the Hooked Up generation is a part of Generation Y, also known as Millennials, it‟s misguided to consider Millennials as a single cohesive generation.

Younger, post-Internet Millennials born after 1995, many of whom were born into homes with computers already connected to the Internet and AOL, will be dramatically different from those pre-Internet Millennials born from 1982 to 1991, whose first years may have included computer software and games, but who were typically not online until well into their school years.

The Hooked Up Generation is the Bridge Generation between pre- and post-Internet Millennials. They spend inordinate amounts of time in pursuits far, far different from those of generations before them, and offer a window into the future of all those Internet Natives who follow. The five-year Hooked Up Generation born between 1991 and 1995 represents only 20 percent of total Millennials, yet they promise to be the most influential and important bloc not only among Millennials but one of the most influential of the past (or next) 100 plus years.

 

If you could describe the Hooked Up generation in one word, what would it be?
The Hooked Up generation is, in a word, wary: wary about having strong feelings or taking strong positions; wary about their future prospects, their plans, their ability to contribute to and influence the world. They‟re wary about the economy, politics, institutions, organizations, movements, trends and fads, relationships. That wariness extends to teachers, coaches, clergy and celebrities. It encompasses privacy issues, spam, bullying and hazing.

What is the most surprising finding you discovered about the Hooked Up generation?
Sexually, their attitudes, influences and values differ dramatically from earlier generations as well as from those who are just a few years older. The weekend ritual of dinner and a movie seems to have largely been replaced by no-strings-attached spontaneous sexual encounters commonly known as “hook-ups”.
The Hooked Up generation‟s casual approach to dating and reliance on easy-access technology to form connections has resulted in a generation that prefers short-term relationships to long-term commitments. Females especially prefer to participate in hookups – not relationships – as a matter of choice and sexual inclination. Yet studies also show increasing numbers of the Hooked Up generation who describe themselves as virgins or abstinent.
The Hooked Up generation is focusing on goals rather than relationships, concentrating on careers and educations rather than on forming and maintaining romantic relationships.

How is the Hooked Up generation likely to impact politics and media?
The Hooked Up generation has low tolerance for the polarizing social issues and economic policies that have dominated political debate and discourse throughout their young lives. They will prove to be a quiet, socially conscious political force to be reckoned with, a bridge between generations that grew up in 20th century politics controlled by politicians, the news media and corporations, and 21st century politics that will be increasingly impacted by wikis, collaborative enterprise, social media and one-to-one online discourse. Twitter, Facebook, Reddit and YouTube are more influential to the Hooked Up gen than the New York Times, Washington Post and Wall St. Journal combined.
Only 10% of 18 to 22 year olds say they do not intend to vote in the 2012 presidential election, with 16% not sure. Only 7% say they don‟t expect to vote after college graduation. If these numbers hold, the Hooked Up generation will prove to be the most politically active generation in more than five decades, with significant influence over who will win offices for decades ahead. Yet they are more unlikely to aggressively campaign for their candidates or their positions. For this we have to thank political attack dogs, the 24-hour news cycle that rewards and champions controversy over discourse, liars in the news media and in public office, a politicized court system, and the polarization and partisanship that accompanies discussion of almost every issue that comes before Congress.
This generation is tolerant of opposing viewpoints and confused and offended by those who are unwilling to consider opposing views. Yet, they are a potent force with a decidedly progressive political perspective. On all major issues except gun control, a significant majority of the Hooked Up generation favor progressive positions.

The Hooked Up generation will be activists in advancing technologies to enable online registration and voting, with the expectation that online voting is not just practical, it is their right. They will solve the related issues of voter validation and privacy. By the presidential election of 2028 and possibly 2024, online voting will be established, accepted and prominent.

As “Occupy” crowds gathered around the country, a common question was „Where are the college students? Where are the young activists?‟ Where were they?
The answer is simple. They were focused on their priorities, managing the complexities of their lives, working at their jobs, intent on their lives and responsibilities. Overall, their politics conform to the underlying issues that brought protesters into the streets, but unlike their counterparts in the Middle East, the Hooked Up generation in the United States are active but not activists, political but not politically involved, engaged in issues but unwilling to actively protest for or against them. We should not confuse the desire of the Hooked Up generation to avoid conflict with an unwillingness to take or support a position or to vote in an election. While they were not taking to the streets and parks, they contributed to the rapid expansion of the „occupy‟ movement across the U.S. and to over 85 nations. College students spread the „Occupy‟ message on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Foursquare, Reddit and a variety of other social networking and activist sites. The movement‟s virtual platform is the epitome of organization.

Is the Hooked Up generation religious?

The Hooked Up generation is less likely to allow their religion to shape their beliefs, political positions or education. They are less likely to adhere to dogma or act in ways that are inconsistent with their experiences or beliefs they recognize as being out-of-step with their contemporaries. Examples include such issues as widespread support of gay rights and women‟s choice, regardless of religious affiliation. The Hooked Up generation will develop and actively participate in social networks built around spirituality and religious-like beliefs, but not necessarily traditional religions. The Internet will serve the basic needs for community previously met by religious organizations and centers. But they will continue to maintain religious affiliation for family purposes. But for many, the Internet will be the first place they turn to for spiritual connectivity. The Internet has created a social community center traditionally provided by the church. And while the church, temple or mosque is localized, involvement in Internet-based communities has no borders or boundaries and embraces all as equals.

 

What will be the Hooked Up generation‟s first priority? What will they change first?
Education! The Hooked Up generation is among the first to graduate from high schools that modified their curriculum under “No Child Left Behind,” a program that diminished arts programs, physical education, home economics and other classes. They have witnessed the neglect of basic tools required for a well-rounded education. The Hooked Up generation will be leaders in restructuring school systems and education programs, applying technology to take greater advantage of online learning opportunities, increase their resources; enable art, drama and music programs; reinvest in sports teams and physical education; and most importantly, improve communications systems and services.
The Hooked Up generation will move into and influence educational systems at all levels: community, state and national. They will advocate and implement online educational programs at the primary and secondary level. Curricula will expand to prepare students for jobs in an Internet-dependent economy. Growth areas will include gaming development, commerce, video production and content development, marketing and public communications, social media, etc. Other changes will include an increased focus on issues that are vital to moving society forward and about which the Hooked Up generation is passionate, such as climate change, human rights and political studies.

 

What are the biggest challenges faced by the Hooked Up generation?
They are the most aware generation ever, and they are committed to moving their lives forward, becoming productive adults and contributing in meaningful ways to society and to their communities – whether those communities be in their neighborhoods or online and global. But they remain weighted down with the baggage of generations before them who have led the nation and world to the brink of economic, political and social bankruptcy.
Their first task will be to shed the baggage and refocus their energy on more positive and productive pursuits. Of one thing I‟m certain: it will be a mistake to try to anticipate the future problems of post-Internet generations or the solutions to these problems. Our traditional approaches, perceptions, beliefs and experiences are very different from theirs.
What excites you the most about the future of Hooked Up generation?
While the world the post-Internet generations are inheriting is bewildering and may seem to some to be on a self-destructive downward spiral, my understanding of this new generation has given me a renewed and even optimistic outlook on the future. All the Internet-inspired inventions to date have been a precursor to the coming advances the Internet is inspiring and the extraordinary impact these advances will have on all aspects of culture and society.

The Hooked Up generation is at the forefront of a movement that will set a new stabilizing course for humanity, but it will take decades before their true influence and importance will be fully recognized and understood. But after two years of research, I have great hope for their future… and ours