A benefit of working for the Boomer Project is the opportunity I’ve had to look at some issues of long-standing personal interest, such as transportation, land use and the environment, through a new lens: the generational perspective. Each generation — the Silent/G.I. generation, the Baby Boomers, GenX and GenY — has a unique zeitgeist shaped by the times in which they were raised. As a result, individuals as far apart politically as, say, Gooze and myself, have strong generational similarities. Like other Boomers, we largely define ourselves by our work. We value being in control. We challenge authority.
John Martin, the CEO of the Boomer Project, brings generational analysis to many of the same fields of interest that I have examined on the Bacon’s Rebellion blog. John also happens to run the BP’s sister company, the Southeastern Institute of Research (SIR), where he has conducted extensive marketing surveys for a variety of transportation agencies. One of his many insights is that GenY, weaned on electronic media and the green movement, approaches transportation very differently than do the Boomers who are now in charge of government agencies and public policy making.
Recently, John addressed the George Washington Regional Commission in Fredericksburg in a session that was covered by the Free Lance-Star. I quote liberally from the coverage published in last week’s newspaper:
Generation Y–people born after 1982–are constantly updating their whereabouts in real-time through text messaging, cell phones and the Web.
This need for constant social interaction and feedback means ridesharing will come naturally to them, said Martin…
“They’re so hyperconnected,” Martin said. Generation Y’s interest in the environment, volunteerism and civic duty will combine with this trend.
During the summer spike in gas prices, all age groups said they reduced their driving — but the greatest reduction was among Generation Y drivers, Martin said.
Though many Generation Y members are still in school, they have already organized online. According to Martin’s presentation, if MySpace were a country, it would be the 11th largest nation in the world.
This technology-savvy population will be comfortable working on the go, and telecommuting will undergo a shift, Martin predicted.
Generation Y workers will demand greater schedule flexibility to balance family and social time. Baby boomers see work as part of their identity, and will be reluctant to stop working. …
Around 4 million workers telecommuted in 1990. Today, that number has grown to 24 million people. By 2010, 40 million people will work from off-site locations, Martin predicted. … Soon enough, even the language to describe the practice will change.
“Telework is really remote work,” Martin said. “It’s work. Eventually, work is going to be work no matter where it’s done.”