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I find what and how diff generations adopt comm tech to be fascinating. I am strongly of the belief that Twitter is a tool attractive mostly to GenX (born 1961-1981). And here's why: GenXers (the Nomad archetype, via Strauss & Howe's brilliant work on generations) grow up behind a culturally dominant and turf-squatting gen (today's Boomers). As such, there is little-to-no space in the public sphere for GenX to find their footing, except, of course, as support to Boomers. This is particularly true for GenX in young adulthood, which has now shifted as GenX are moving into midlife.
So, Twitter, as a tool, is microblogging. Right? It's small bits. Gaps. Niches. Finding a very small space that requires no specific authority-granted position from which to speak. Finding a small space to insert a comment, a bit of information, a link to some potentially helpful info. Finding a small space from which to broadcast, engage, connect.
Twitter has GenX written all over it. Which is why, for example, Oprah was so clumsy, off-putting and stale-stale-stale as she hosted her ooooh-look-at-me-tweet show.
Millennials (the correct term, academically), but *sigh* as many call them, GenY, aren't typically oriented to Twitter, why? They are a peer-oriented, collective can-do generation. They expect high levels of attention -- particularly institutional attention -- on them. Millennials bring balance to GenXers' fragmented approach to problem-solving by being oriented more to group-think and the collective heart-space they share in their peer groups. And they, in turn, will have their excesses of hubris balanced by the gen that follows them.
So, that's my bit about Twitter and GenY.
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BTW, always think *handheld devices* when looking to find where/how/when to connect with Millennials. That's the trick for reaching each gen. Silent Gen = newspaper and credentialed souces. Boomer = TV and radio and big messages. Gen X = internet and fragmented, personable connections. Millennial/Gen Y = handheld/mobile devices; always connected to each other.
Gen Y On Twitter
As one with two Gen Y's in the house, I can tell you their reaction to Twitter: it seems redundant and somewhat cheezy.
Bear in mind that this age group grew up with MySpace, migrated to Facebook (most now abhor MySpace and some even pretend they never liked it) and, without exception, can touch-text message, much like the old touch typing of yore.
In short, most are too savvy for twitter; they don't need it to connect with their friends and, in many cases, are not looking for new ones. But most of all they are leery of any system that allows strangers to follow them. As I said, too savvy.