So the culmination of the research that I am conducting as a ‘social analyst’ and that goes into the depths of what I have tentatively termed as ‘new social media’ is beginning to come to together. By new social media I mean Web 2.0 and all it has to offer, as well as the various technologies and appendages that are used to access these applications and platforms. Predominantly this is a realm is characterised by those individuals that have strong ties to, immersion within and attachment to technology.
The main ‘sticking points’ of the moment is the terminology that is needed to describe the most technologically savvy of the generation of young people (born in the 1980s) that I am dealing with – those who are the first to have ‘grown up’ with digital technology. I intend to deal with only those that are the most technologically immersed (and savvy) of this generation (Generation-i) and need a label to differentiate this group of people within the ‘generation’.
So far up for suggestion has been: the Elites, techno-crowd, technoarti’s, mediarati’s, Facebookers (too technologically deterministic), e-chavs (hahaha) and so on…
This has caused a bit of a rethink in terms of the ‘who’ these young people are, that needs a ‘name’ or ‘label’ as a way to refer to them. I’m aware that by blogging provides an opportune moment to gain some insights into the possible social dimensions of these young people, as well as what on earth to call them! Chances are that You reading this, are one ‘them’!
SO I’m asking ‘what’s in a name?’, to gain some insights, comments or suggestions from what You may perceive to be the defining dimension(s) and/or label for these technologically immersed and youth orientated individuals. They’re not ‘geeks’ nor ‘nerds’ as they do not consider themselves to be particular ‘geeky’ or ‘nerdy’. So any proposals and/or speculations are most welcome! This is Web 2.0 after all, where debate and the peer-to-peer pushing of information is exactly what this ‘world’ is about! Until that is we reach Web 5.0 that is and these things will ‘write’ themselves!
image: www.flmnh.ufl.edu
I like Academic Research Students Evil= ARSE!
Or
People On People = POP
@ Imran
‘hyper’ you could have something there!
not that i’m tarring myself with the same brush… err…
How about the ‘HyperConnected’
@ Henry,
just one tweak and i think you may have hit the nail on the head there!
Thank you Henry!
ps i like the ‘addicted/drug like’ association!
Socially mediated always connected = SMAC
@Fumbles,
funnily enough i had the ‘Elites’ down as an early runner… i prefer your eLites take though – pause for thought indeed!
Thanks Fumbles!
How about the eLites. Probably way to 90s, but I liked the double meaning…
@ SMART I know who you are!
too smart by half! And yes suggestion duely noted! you’ll be acknowledged in the book as agreed!
Social Media All Real Technology
have you thought about using an acronym?…
@ Gown in the Town and Academic
Thank you for your kind words, and interest in my research. I would be delighted to present, host a seminar discussion etc . on any aspect(s) that you find of interest.
Im more frontstage than backstage as Goffman would say!
Look forward to hearing from you both.
This is important stuff. Some of it may seem trivial but as Goffman showed us social life is made up of interactions…
My people will also be contacting you next in year in the hope that you will present to us.
Make sure you publish you work.
Maz from an ‘old’ academic in the know, Do not get hung up on the name – write about what this ‘group’ are up to – this will set on the right path!
I’d like to get in touch in a more formal way to talk with you about your research, it sounds fascinating and I would like to get you to present for us.
Thanks ‘Assumer’
i like that, rhymes with ‘consumer’ which has certain relevant connotations too!
At the moment i’m liking ‘The Socialites’ best…
hi Maz,
liking the blog posting – I represent one of those that you are trying to categorise. So it may help you if I described myself to you: I like having access to technology and take it for granted that it works! So maybe you should call us the ‘assumers’
Its more than just being involved with technology though, as I think that you are hinting at – I feel that I have a certain identity that needs maintaining across Web 2.0 and my iphone of course!
not sure where I am heading with this, just off the cuff stuff if you know what I mean.
I’ll come back at you with anymore ideas.
So after a ‘late night ‘ chewing over of the web 2.0 ‘phat’ and in response to Anon and Steelyglint’s comments – could the group that i am trying to acknowledge and be included under a common social umbrella simply be labelled as ‘the socials’. A label that is not over technologically deterministic and one that performs the function of pointing to the ‘what’ these young people choose to prioritise and experience on a daily basis…
hmm… more thoughts to come no doubt!
@ anon and Steelyglint,
the motivations behind a ‘name’ or ‘label’ is to be able to talk about a collective group of individuals, a particular ‘cohort of young people’ in this case. And yes you are right in that there is a fine line between social stereotypes and ‘label’s’ , but what labels do do effectively is enable group dynamics and certain social dimensions to be drawn upon… As for the ‘Web 2.0 generation’, thats a label that is being worked on, and i’m sure that wikipedia have it covered!
I agree that it’s an interesting topic but where you label a group of people with a collective name you do in essence create a set of rules around that group to identify them. My question back to you is how do you create a group with defined parameters without creating a stereotype?
And what you see as the risks of such stereotypes.
So far from what I can tell you have grouped 20 somethings, and tech savvy people… does this mean you are going to tag them web 2.0 generation.
if so next year they will be out dated and fuddy duddy 
But on that more serious note be careful of defining groups as specific names and decide first if that is necessary.
You need to be careful about the ageism here
Speaking as someone who is 20 years older than
your ‘target’….
I don’t have a name for you, but it is to do with seeing the computer/internet as a medium (like tv, books etc) as opposed to seeing it as a device.