Times are changing: The Facebook Generation

After reading the article “The Facebook Generation vs. the Fortune 500” written by Gary Himmel, I wanted to cry. I mean, yah, I’m sort of exaggerating but this article definitely intimidated me as it seems as though this generation, my generation, has a lot of high expectations to attain in the working world today. The article outlines what Himmel describes as “Internet-derived expectations’ that every business will hold to if they want to “make it”. He explains all the “main characteristics of online life” that divides the former fortune 500 generation from the Facebook generation. At first I really thought that I’d hate everything on the list but turns out the norms of the web world are very exciting and nothing is really black and white. The charecteristics are exciting and out of the box. They’re much less boring then the Fortune 500 generation seems to be. Here are the 12 different characteristics: 1. “All ideas compete on an equal footing”- all ideas on the web are fair game. Ideas get a chance versus ideas either getting shot down or accepted right on the spot. 2. “Contribution counts for more than credentials.”- the web is more focused on content verus your accidemic acheivements. 3. “Hierarchies are natural, not prescribed”- Authority on the web is gained by how powerful your presence is there not because somebody appointed you that particular job. 4. “Leaders serve rather than preside”- Leaders are forced to naturally have a good balance. They are not the dominant leader, no one on the web can be. You have to rope in followers by serving them in a humble way. 5. “Tasks are chosen, not assigned”- You choose what you want to work on. What you want to contribute to and be apart of or what you want to skip out on. There is a sense of freedom where you can focus in on what you want. 6. “Groups are self defining and self organizing”- you can choose who you want to communicate and make connections with. 7. “Resources get attracted, not allocated”- you don’t waste your time on projects that aren’t fun and alluring in the web world. 8. “Power comes from sharing information, not hoarding it”- you share your ideas and get them out their before someone else does instead of keeping information to yourself. 9. “Opinions compound and decisions are peer-reviewed”- good ideas will reveal themselves to be good all on their own through easily gaining a following. Good ideas speak for themselves in a way. 10. “Users can veto most policy decisions” – the users have a big say so keep them happy even though you built whatever it is they have a big say about. 11. “Intrinsic rewards matter most”- you can contibutue to society in a big and rewarding way on the web. 12. “Hackers are heroes”- a rebelous sort of fame in the web world. I think this all means that the Facebook Generation needs to be an active part of the online world in one way or another. We all need to contribute to the web in one way or another whether it be big or small. The world is changing and the web is broadening life and breaking barriers between the cubicle and the real world. It's an exciting time.