TEDxSF - Scott Hess - Millennials: Who They Are & Why We Hate Them

Scott Hess is the Vice President of Insights for TRU, a global youth research firm, and is considered one of the foremost authorities on American youth. In this role, Scott works across TRU's syndicated and custom research divisions to discover, distill, and communicate compelling, actionable insights for clients -- the world's leading youth brands and companies. A sought-after speaker, consultant, and moderator, Scott helps clients develop more youth-relevant products and services, communicate more effectively with their young customers, and ensure that corporate strategy and execution align with the evolving zeitgeist. Over the past decade, Scott has worked with virtually every significant youth-relevant entity in business today, from motorcycles to movies, from social networks to skin care, and from governments to gum. As a husband and father, Scott's committed to building a future that's profitable for clients as well as positive for young people. As a former teenager, Scott's personal mission is to make sure that young viewpoints are heard, respected, and understood.
event video by: repertoireproductions.com/

[@nancykane4760]

Being 22 (born 1991), I couldn't agree more with this talk. I hear a lot about the lack of motivation my generation has, but everyday I see my old classmates succeeding at loving their lives. And I see people my age leaving school every year with drive in their hearts to help change the world.

[@metoo2560]

Born in 1999

[@cosmicmuse2900]

Hey! Happy 30! ☺️✨

[@wellhedge]

This talk is more than three years old now. When I gave it, I had no idea it would someday generate this many views, nor this level of interaction. I'm gratified and humbled by both. And I'm appreciative of the forum TEDx SF provided, both in the Yerba Buena Center that day, and then here on KZbin. Obviously, much has changed since I gave this talk. That said, I want to reiterate what was my overarching message/intention on the day I spoke: Each successive generation emerges from youth with a target painted on it by its forebears, who are simply less well adapted to the emerging world than they are, almost by definition. Each generation is, by virtue of growing up in its unique context, "better" than the ones that preceded it. It's evolution. We evolve by adapting our success strategies based on context. In a nutshell, it's *silly* to hate the next generation. They are us, but younger, and more current. Icons and iconic moments may come and go, defining us along the way by their presence. But there's nothing wrong with these kids today, or yesterday, or ever. We "hate" them because they've come to take our place, in a world we understand less with each passing day. Such is life. Our choice, as humans and as businesspeople, is to choose whether to embrace and guide them, or to disdain them. To me, there's only one choice that makes any sense. Onward! Next up: The Post Generation! www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/who-will-succeed-millennials-let-s-call-them-post-generation-160545

[@TruBluTopaz]

***** I would suggest that everyone on this board go back and read Daniel Pink's "A Whole New Mind." Every generation has had their money majors that most aspired to acquire. In my day it was medical, legal and business. In my younger brother's day it was computer science. Now we have kids going to college because "everybody goes to college" who have no idea why they are there. They take a major-usually something they perceive as easy-and graduate only to find there are no jobs. Former middle income jobs like accounting and engineering are done by people just as well qualified in places like India for far less. While GenX and Millenials whine about offshoring jobs, they forget that they priced themselves beyond what the market could bear. For all the socialist ideals pushed by the current administration in power, Supply and Demand still level the playing field. And for all those Occupy types who want a $15 minimum wage, get ready for an escalation in the basic cost of living unlike seen in American history. How much will you enjoy you new IPhone when all you can afford is your loaf of expensive gluten free bread for a week?

[@lulisaccullo10]

Scott Hess GREAT talk! Im from Argentina writing my Thesis on Gen Y, helped me a lot. Thank you¡¡

[@jaeger1447]

TruBluTopaz Riiiiiight. I'm sure Millennials drove the housing bubble, the oil-price speculation of the mid-late 2000s, and so forth. I was a real market-mover at 13. The "Millennial affect" you are Limbaughing on about is very similar to ghetto psychology - effectual change is beyond their power to actualize, so apathy and despondence result. And I'm no lefty Obamabot; Boomers inherited post-colonial wealth after WW2, the benefits of being the only major industrial nation not bombed-the-fck-out; they flourished and have spent the past fifty years structuring our culture, government, and economy around their needs.

[@The_Ballo]

Scott Hess The reason boomers don't like millennials is because they have a voting block which can challenge there hegemony. As an X-er I say a pox on both houses.

[@wellhedge]

AngryAdonyx To co-opt a quote from one of my favorite movies, RUSHMORE: "Yeah, well I've got 250,000 views, so I'm not sweating it either, pal." Happy trolling.

[@boixgenius]

Honestly I hate the whole "this generation is better than that generation" fight. It's super annoying. It's almost as if people are trying to gain some sort of respect in saying those things. "Hello I'm 14 years old and I hate my generation." Honesty, get over yourselves. I liked this video. I hate these comments.

[@wellhedge]

Thanks, Mark!

[@olajuwon021]

Generation is just another artificial group identity for those lacking self-awareness. Fights are indeed ridiculous and annoying, it's the same immature, pointless nonsense like fights between sports fans.

[@MrAlexanderLang]

Mark Medina No both sides are trying to point out why there generation is SOOO AWESOME!!! and the why the other is not. Therefore making themselves look wise and attempt to gain some authority for just being born in particular year, people who support either one of them are people who never became relevant, or never will.At least that's how i see this whole madness on who is better , i'm commenting on this video just because i wanted too hear what da fuck is millennial, but this video is not relevant as Scot Hess is so obviously biased, and desperately tries to make millennials look good.(And before someone starts barking by his standards, which i assume are correct,i'm millennial as well)

[@richardavery4811]

Mark Medina I can recall the early 90's when the rage was the media and authority figures doubting the Gen Xers. We were suppose to be the definite lost generation that was going to ruin everything. Slackers and losers and all the other neg stereotypes. Fast forward 20 to 25 years in the future and I see the same BS toward Millenials. Yeah I have seen this movie before. The more things change the more they stay the same.

[@wellhedge]

Richard Avery Indeed.

[@Fightclub1995]

Every generation says the next generation is bad and lazy.

[@wellhedge]

Exactly.

[@JimJWalker]

+1 Bobby!

[@DataLinkNow]

Not true.

[@user-ih5le4cv9v]

No. not true

[@vincentliboon]

True

[@forloveoffur]

Well said. I graduated college almost 2 years ago - took 10 months to get a mediocre but relevant job, which I just left because the commute was terrible (up to 3 hours per day, not factoring weather) and I would have paid like 5k a year just in gas and car repairs. So now I'm unemployed and struggling to find a decent job, living at home, and people 30 years older than me look down on how I'm doing in life. Someone literally said to me that at 24, I should have had kids by now. I have so much debt from trying to improve my life and can't even afford a studio apartment - why would I ever bring a kid into the picture? Older generations just don't understand how different it is for millennials. We don't have the world of opportunities they did. College grads can expect to earn 100K less than they thought they would in the next 20 years of their career (PBS) because of this economy... There are jobs that require master's degrees that pay minimum wage. So what if we whine? It's a good damned reason to be mad and there's nothing wrong with speaking out.

[@CinemaDoll137]

+Ashley Dufault What many older people don't seem to understand or even care to understand, is that it isn't fair to subject us to traditional markers of adulthood like owning a house, getting a career, and married with kids before 30 because the horrible economic downfall that produced a generational shift.

[@markreilly4577]

+Ashley Dufault What jobs that require master degrees pay minimum wage? I think what you meant to say was, i got my masters in dance or basket weaving and now i work at baskin robins making minimum wage.

[@forloveoffur]

Mark Reilly Hahah. No, it's a growing trend, maybe not common yet. If not minimum wage, slightly above it. My previous employer hired a librarian for minimum wage. So many places can get away with it because of degree inflation. People don't like to talk about that, though.

[@lauragriffin3368]

+Mark Reilly My friend has a Masters in Medical Science, she's extremely hard working and she now works in a lab doing pathology on minimum wage. Another friend got the award for top grades in Journalism but as that is a dying profession he is still making a very low wage managing updates. Degrees are no guarantee of work these days.

[@markreilly4577]

Laura Griffin Does your friend work at a lab at a University? My brother has his Ph.D in Neuroscience and works at a lab at a University, doesn't get paid much like your friend but they are paying all his tuition for his post doctorate school. Once he graduates hell be a professor there starting at $80K. I find it hard to believe that they are only paying your friend minimum wage with no other added benefit. And you're right that a degree isn't a guarantee for work, thats why people should major in a subject with a high demand for work. Also, while you're in college you can't just go to classes, get a 4.0 GPA and expect to land a job after graduation, you have to do things that set you apart from the other students. Be a student leader, be the student government president, be a captain of a sports team, start a new club on campus. It's all about competition, nothing falls in your lap in life you need to work for it.

[@CathyBInAGaddaDaVegan]

I adore Millenials and working with them. They are bright, innovative, and positive. They don't have power trips. They always have time to get a coffee. I think they are the first generation (as a generation) to really grasp the best uses of technology. They are constantly connected with the world so they feel its pain - they care about justice and environmental issues like no previous generation has. I think we're going to see some great things from this generation.

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

You reckon? They have no idea where stuff comes from. If it’s not on a phone, it may well not exist. The steak that comes from “the supermarket” . . . . .

[@abaue727]

It's not that we don't WANT to get married, be financially stable, and such... it's just that it's so much more expensive now to do it and we're all crippled with large amounts of student debt. I had to drop out of college, I have student debt. I'm still trying to get back to school and pay off the debt. I'm 23 and WISHING I had things together. I wish I wasn't working 35-68 hours a week earning maybe $400 a week between the two jobs. I can't take vacations. I don't have TIME to date. I don't even have the time or money to get back to school. I'm stuck living with my family and hating everything about that.

[@wellhedge]

Right. You guys buy the roadmap but, for various reasons, apply a roadtrip mentality to it. Good luck, Lee. Hang in there. It'll get better. I moved to Chicago with $200, all my stuff in two moving boxes 'cause I didn't own luggage, and ended up sleeping on a friend's floor and then my grandma's couch. Starting out is always tough, and maybe tougher than ever. But be good to the people you meet and work with, have a great attitude, and keep after it. It's still possible to "make it," even if it's a little harder and takes a little longer.

[@52gt]

You HAD to drop out? It is expensive to get married? Last I checked getting married helps share costs. You cant take a vacation. Let me cry for you. I majored in what piad . CS. And guess what. With little debt and a $23k in '82 I was doing pretty good. But I continued to drive the POS car I bought in high school for a long time. I didn't take a vacation even though I could easily afford lts of stuff I didn't. Instead I bought a house in '83. SO I really dont care if you cant take a vacation , I didn't die with out one for a long time. I am 58 with a good income and $1M in cash and IRA. And I live in a modest house and never owned a new car in my life. My money does buy me security. that is a luxury. But I could go buy a Tesla or a Vette, and a mmotorcycle and a boat and take some really luxury vacations. But I don't need it. Neither do you.

[@abaue727]

Lou Paul Let me put it this way.... when you're paying rent, car insurance, food, etc, it's not easy to scrape together $4,000 each semester to cover what your loans aren't covering. Yes Lou, getting married is expensive if you want to have a ceremony that you'd like to remember. As in the gown that easily costs at least $1,200. Or finding the place to get married. Then there's the flowers, the catering, etc. There's the planning, and everything else that comes along with it. Congrats, you were earning $23K. I'm not. Same for many other people in my generation. You're essentially saying that you've had yours so fuck everyone else. I don't even HAVE a car right now. I have to take public transit to work every single day because between my two jobs I work EVERY SINGLE DAY and I still can not afford to buy a car. The car I had in high school died on me. So good for you for having it easier than some of the rest of us. In 1980 the average tuition was $9,200. Now it is $27,500. I am more in debt now than you were when you graduated college. In 1982 the average cost of a new house was: $83,900. In 2010 it was $272,900. No, I don't want a new house. I frankly want to have a small house just for me. A tiny house preferably. But that takes money that I don't have even. Again, soul sucking minimum wage jobs because I wasn't able to afford to finish college because it's a hell of a lot more expensive now. Oh, and by the way... I ran your old wages of $23K through an inflation calculator. Your wages of $23K back then has the same buying power of $65,233.75 today. So booo fucking hoo asshole.

[@52gt]

I don't consider 18 some goal. I didn't 40 years ago. I don't think anyone should hurry to do anything. Nor should anyone marry someone without a game plan. Nor should you marry just to save money. But it seems to me it is less expensive to be married than single,. Or live with your partner. I just wondered how it is expensive to get married?

[@52gt]

***** Brilliant comment Your grandparents won a world war or two and you wont join the military because you might have to fight. So you think the military is supposed to be your gov training ground paid for by someone else taxes. All uside for you and no downside. that is just that the hell is wrong with your generation. You are spoiled brats. One day you just might actually earn a good income. And you just might be pissed to pay 15% SS tax. 25% overall in income tax. Property tax sales tax and probably state income tax. Let me know when half your income goes to taxes how you like it. Your generation voted of the POS president we have because you think it is cool to have a black president. Well well what you got was just another politician. You know the liberals had TOTAL control of the gov for 2 years. Yet your president and your congress didnt give you a single payer gov health care? they didn't give you free college. they didnt raise minimum wage. They didnt do all kinds of things they had absolute to do. Why not? How long does it take to write up a minimum.wage bill and pass it when you are in total majority? The GOP quickly got the pipeline bill to the pres. He will veto but how long did that take? So what happened? the 2008 administration could have done absolutely anything. Is it possible your pres sold you out? Is it possible he is just another lying politician. Yes he is crying for a minimum wage now. that he cant get it. Is that maybe because he didn't really care about your wages and tuition but cared more about haviing something to blame on the GOP today. That congress could have passes every liberal Utopian idea you want. they didn't do it. The answer is easy. Form the moment Obama was sworn is the first time the only thing he really cared about was getting sworn in a 2nd time. Passing all those laws would have certainly cost him the second term, but the laws would be on the books. But he cared more about himself than you.

[@tiffaniwarren6603]

I appreciate all the kind words. This guy is what I love about a lot of Gen Xers. I think he was disappointed that he wasn't getting the cheers he wanted from Millenials at the end - but it's just like he said, we value inclusiveness. It feels WRONG for us to cheer at someone else's expense - we're more likely to say, "Hey yeah, you guys were/are great too! We're just different, not better." But overall I enjoyed and appreciated his presentation. :)

[@wellhedge]

Thanks, Tiffani!

[@52gt]

It seems wrong to cheer at someones expense. First of all that is just faux humility in general. And second it is NOT why he didn't gt the cheers. It is you just making it up after the fact.

[@montysep]

@@52gt sorry you feel that way bud :( . Don't worry though, you're great too! 👍

[@SitaraAleu]

I'm lazy and needy. And I prove this by working the only job I qualify for, a 35-40 hour week stock job (part time of course since it would cost more to make me officially full time) and then my afternoons are spent diligently at my sewing machine cranking out orders and costumes I've been commissioned to make, and then it's straight to my volunteer job in the field I specialize in so I can gain experience, since I haven't a prayer of affording college and can't go. Oh what's that? You say I'm a lazy worthless bum because I won't shell out a large fortune to attend a school that'll re teach me everything I've learned through my apprenticeship and volunteer work in less than two years no less? Well, whatever you say, people who grew up when tuition was a third of the price and a house was a realistic dream to have.

[@isidoramartinez6510]

Jennifer Ellison you are a millennial? You did the smart thing and better than 90% of people here that chose to go to a university with a loan. At least you are not in deep life debt with a student loan

[@jimsandy4872]

Very intelligent young lady. Save your money. Be conscientious and persist. Think outside the box, but do so cautiously at first. Reinventory your skill sets every 3 years. Never marry and never have kids.

[@MikeTXBC]

What's interesting is that because many of the Millennials (and the tail-end of GenX, such as my wife and I who were born right before the generational cutoff) are deciding they can't afford to have children, the following generations will actually have a somewhat easier time getting into the job market. Why? Fewer workers competing for jobs. It's always been a supply vs demand game. It's one of the reasons why certain events, such as large scale wars or disease, actually helped humanity in the long run. Wars used to wipe out tons of people, which was terrible for them and their families, but also reduced competition. Modern wars don't see nearly as many people killed, which is a good thing overall, but also means the population isn't being thinned. Likewise, disease did the same thing. In fact, the Bubonic Plague was partially responsible for ending the medieval practice of feudalism. Suddenly, people who would've been relegated to positions as serfs were valued more and could actually hold real jobs. Beyond depressing life-changing events like those, people also used to retire. Today, very few can actually afford to retire, so unless they die themselves or are let go, higher positions within organizations remain filled. That reduces upwards mobility for those beneath them, which creates a domino effect. North America used to have other industries as well. Manufacturing was big at one time, but today it's a rare sight within the US or Canada. Most of these companies have moved their production facilities to other poorer countries, where the population can be legally taken advantage of by North American companies. That's how we can get cheap electronics. If American or Canadian workers were making them, we'd easily be paying five times as much as do now per unit. Even if we have simply moved to an information economy, we still might've done well had we not begun outsourcing everything. Nowadays we have more work done in countries like India than here. That takes away from our economy. Education costs have also risen through the roof, and to add insult to (financial) injury, degrees simply aren't worth much nowadays. It's not unusual to see people with degrees as high as doctorates serving coffee. Sure, the smartasses online like to spout off such gems as "you should've gotten a degree in something useful" or "you should've gone into a STEM field." Thanks, but it's almost impossible for an 18 year-old to know what's useful when they're working off out-dated information given to them by previous generations. Perhaps for those generations the information was accurate, but times change and the advice given changes a lot more slowly. Also, people in STEM fields are suffering today because too many went into those areas and have over-saturated those markets. And finally... we all know employers always want the best people for the least amount of money. That's business and it makes sense. What doesn't make sense is advertising "entry-level jobs" that require 3-5 years of previous industry-related experience. The entry-level job was designed for those who've just come out of school or have recently switched careers, not for people with half-a-decade of experience under their belt. Because of this lunacy, the unpaid internship (aka "having people do a job for free that normally an employee would be paid to do, thereby putting someone out of work in the process") has taken hold and many companies and industries have designed their modern-day business models around free labor. Unfortunately, the only way people can afford to work for free is if they have a separate source of income, huge savings, or go back to living with their parents. Not everyone has that luxury, so tons of people with higher education qualifications are working minimum wage jobs just to make ends meet. And just to make it all hurt more, you're then told you're lazy. Why? Because you had the misfortune of being born into a world where a college degree is a base requirement, but priced like a luxury extra. So, for the first time in history, in order to get a job as a secretary making $30,000 a year, you need a bachelor's degree that costs three times that.

[@Frankiigii]

A lot of Millennials grew up being inspired by Gen X, we had older siblings, cousins, our parents showing us what it was like to be meta, to take a step back and realize that we're living in a machine. We took that and now we're running with it. We believe we can make of the world what we want. If we want a space where people are included, appreciated, heard, a world that merges nature and invention then it's up to us to make it that way. Most Millenials have massive respect for Gen X. And maybe a bit of nostalgia for a world that wasn't so connected all the time. It's kind of exhausting to be alive today. The world is massive, there's so much happening and we're aware of so much of it all the time. Regardless, we don't want to be better than anyone, we just want to be fulfilled.

[@wellhedge]

Potato Girl I love this comment! (Granted, you're buttering up a GenXer.) I like to say that we've gone from a Mad Men world, where companies and agencies and even governments operated from behind a Wizard of Oz curtain, and people were okay with it (Boomers). Then GenXers peered behind the curtain, called B.S., and grew disenfranchised, sullen, "slacked." To me, where we are now is: We're all behind the curtain, wizarding together. We know the Wizard isn't real, that we're all responsible for finding and creating what we need. It's way harder than it used to be, but also way more real.

[@Frankiigii]

Who run the world? We do! lol

[@celticsaldirganlik]

Scott Hess We love genxers, in comparison to the boomers at the very least lol.

[@punkgrl325]

Yeah, Gen X is amazing. They had the best music, and they're fun-loving and open-minded. My brothers are Gen Xers and they are so REASONABLE and you can have differing opinions with them without the conversation becoming a mine field. It's such a field day having discussions with them compared to my parents that are boomers. For some reason with my parents, anytime we talk, it always revolves around them and the moment you say something they disagree with or something non-judgemental about a social group they're bigoted towards, they just try to pull the "we didn't raise you that way" or "don't talk to me like that" cards, regardless of how polite and respectful you try to be. But yeah, nothing but love for Gen X :)

[@wellhedge]

butterstix24 celticsaldirganlik My experience in the workplace has been that Millennials & GenX tend to be easy allies, whereas Boomers tend to isolate... Massive generalization, course.

[@DeIeted]

Apple and Beiber as millennial icons? Jesus Christ, define me as gen Y and 2000 onward as millennials. I can't be associated with this.

[@edienandy]

[Deleted] gen y and millennial generation are different names for the same generation.

[@sea_triscuit7980]

Amen, inbetweeners at least. Because we have nothing in common with younger Millennials. We actually value hard work and integrity

[@mats7492]

@@edienandy That is incorrect!

[@somkeshav4143]

@@mats7492 no he's right on this one dude

[@tylergann5]

"Every generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it." ~George Orwell

[@paulpena5040]

People have been complaining about the "new generation" since before the Roman Empire existed.

[@wellhedge]

Exactly my point.

[@wellhedge]

One speech, 80,000+ views. Man. Very cool. Thx to all who've watched (and are watching and sharing).

[@didthatreallyjust]

no. there is almost NO work-life Balance for millennials. It's just work to just barely make it.

[@stephieann]

alicia gannon so true

[@wolfgang7812]

alicia gannon but the whole point is that you can integrate your work with your personal life rather than struggle with work life balance.

[@ivovanderavert1269]

alicia gannon poor thing. Now shut down your KZbin and get to work.

[@RaptureHead1993]

alicia gannon so true we and gen z are gonna clean up the shitbed the boomers made ts bad!!!

[@adebo7294]

and i wonder what's wrong with you ? \

[@carolinagbb]

I don´t understand why for americans everything is about, who wins?, who´s best?, comparisons, etc... every generation is unique, that´s it

[@wellhedge]

Carolina, I agree, it's not a contest. That's just a construct I used, a way to try to make the presentation more interesting/engaging. In reality, I think each generation is a more evolved form of the one that preceded it...inheriting some characteristics, rejecting others, mutating in places, etc. So maybe not *better*, per se, but different... I like your point.

[@brandonkostishak2961]

competition makes people work harder though thus improving upon what they have already done or accomplished. you need competition or else the world will just go stale and no new things will come about.

[@j2582]

Brandon Kostishak That is a lie. Competition brings about selfishness which lowers empathy and increases the likelihood that the "loser" will suffer. As if there is a loser in all cases. It's all ego, and is barbaric when applied universally. Competition is not without it's positive attributes, it does push people to strive harder. However when competition is fueled with contempt it produces a very negative impact. The statement that "you need competition or else the world will just go stale and no new things will come about" is completely exaggerated and halfway thought through. I am sure the invention of the wheel came about because two people were in a competition (sarcasm). In fact cooperation, rather than competition, will almost always yield better results. You are obviously not very intelligent, but you certainly have an ego that thinks so.

[@brandonkostishak2961]

The loser will then either strive to become better than they were so as to beat their competitor and raise the standards of whatever it is they're competing in (which is a good thing). Now there is a balance with cooperation and competition but that's like two companies merging in order to be better than another that they're competing against or countries making alliances in order to be stronger than their competition. Cooperation and competition go hand in hand in a lot of cases. Your insult towards my intelligence and my perceived ego makes everything you just said seen in a negative light towards you by the way. All I've done is expressed my view and you're the one putting me down. Seems as if you're trying to compete with me here. Where's your cooperation now?

[@brandonkostishak2961]

An example of great competition in recent history, The Space Race. In less than 30 years we went from nothing to putting a man on the moon because of competition from the USSR. Then they broke up and the competition stopped. Now in the past 40 some years we haven't done much past our own little bubble around the Earth and Moon. We've recently had rovers on Mars and deep space, unmanned vessels but with the exponential growth of our technology a lot of people such as Neil deGrasse Tyson and myself included, feel that we should be a lot farther along in our space exploration. We, as American's, have dominated anything space related since The Cold War and there has been nothing to try and surpass us, no competition, so space exploration has all but gone stale.

[@wellhedge]

When the good folks from TEDx first posted this video to KZbin, I remember hoping it would get a thousand views. Three years later, it's at 150,000 and still going. Granted, I know it's not a million, not that big a deal by TED talk standards, but it's still wildly gratifying that so many people have taken the time to watch, and to comment, and to thumbs-up or thumbs-down the content. Although it's far from a perfect speech (and boy can I see its flaws), I'm happy that many of the ideas herein still feel relevant a thousand days later. I've also enjoyed interacting with commenters here. I first did it as a lark, and over time it's come to be part of my daily ritual, to check in and weigh in. Big thx to any and all who pass by here, and who take a moment to consider some of my ideas!

[@troll5494164]

This was wonderful, I feel like it truly hit on important points, pointing out differences in a way that is comprehensible and not offending :) loved it!

[@wellhedge]

Thanks, +GinnaCole! Much appreciated.

[@superman224499]

We should probably stop focusing on trying to separate ourselves from each other and trying to put blame on other people. The damage is done. People are people. We make mistakes. But what we need to do is learn from them, not point fingers. Why is this so hard to see? We learn this in elementary school.

[@pawssum]

Spoken like a millennial. High five.

[@superman224499]

illuzion30 fucking up is a point of view

[@pawssum]

Guys, I think he's just saying that we need to stop criticizing the next generation over and over just because it is different than the one before. 9/10 times, the next one improves on the old one, and the old one is envious. But of course new things and ideas have new problems, which the next generation solves.

[@Clariccy]

´´ 9/10 times, the next one improves on the old one, and the old one is envious. ´´ no

[@Clariccy]

i don´t think many are envious of millenials at all and in some sectors things seem to be going the opposite of improvement

[@msajfar]

I believe, regardless of your "generation", you are judged negatively from your teens through about 30. These are years where we experiment, go a little wild, push the limits, challenge the status quo. As we age, we start to mature and level off. We then look back at those in their late teens through about 30 similar to the way we were viewed. The best thing Scott hit on with this was "different". We as human have a natural fear of anything different than ourselves. Millennials are beginning to change this dynamic as they have less fear than X, who had less fear than Boomers. I find Millenials very refreshing and I love working with them. They ask "why", they challenge the "way", and while they may not like to work 60 hours a week, they are hyper efficient so that isn't necessary. Great video!

[@Andy-gg4xw]

The thing is these people younger than us is actually doing good service more often than not when they challenge the status quo... Though the older gen would feel uncomfortable and sometimes even insulted. You have to criticize to optimize. And sometimes it is best to do that with a fresh set of eyes: the young ones.

[@makinggraves1]

I am from generation X and here to say that I love people of all generations. This man's hatred stems from his own jealousy, as he himself states in his presentation. Jealousy is founded in an inadequacy mentality, in simpler terms, an "I am not good enough" mentality. I am shocked that this man feels confident enough to speak publicly and yet feels inadequate as a person. He does make many nods to just how many things that the Millennials are doing right. My message is one of unity and hope. We can all assimilate, no matter our age. Don't live your life in hatred and jealousy, learn from the millennials. We can all be great.

[@wellhedge]

+makinggraves1 Dude! Seriously? If you watched, you'd see that I'm celebrating Millennials and trying to gently correct the "haters."

[@makinggraves1]

+Scott Hess I did make note of your celebration of Millenials near the end of my statement. You yourself said that you were jealous in your video. 100% full disclosure here buddy. Sometimes you need to be funny for sarcasm to be WELL RECEIVED.

[@wellhedge]

+makinggraves1 Ha ha ha ha!

[@makinggraves1]

Are you alright man? I'm not trying to throw punches at you. Are you afraid to use words?

[@wellhedge]

+makinggraves1 That was a legitimate laugh. I thought your very dry admonition at the end was funny, as was your choice of all caps. There was no hostility in my "ha ha" reply. Sincere appreciation of your good humor.

[@aaron8862006]

Scott... not sure if you keep up with these but I'm extremely glad to see that you both follow and reply to online comments. Just wanted to throw out a thank-you!

[@wellhedge]

Thanks, Aaron. It's really gratifying that people take the time to watch and comment.

[@LizaExplainsItAll]

Loved watching a positive talk on us millennials! Thanks!

[@pizzicatoiv]

+Elizabeth Milligan "up front and engaged."

[@Kcobra99]

This is one of the most insightful video's i've seen on the Millenial generation. I was born in 1990 and i've always thought we brought more to the table than our previous generation seem to understand. One of the things I know that separate us from the boomers is that we are far less religious which has created a divide. While at the same time generation X sees our attachment to new technology as a distraction instead of an asset to be exploited. Though every generation will have its faults, I see a lot of positive things happening with this generation, especially when dealing with adapting new technology, race relations, and America's diplomatic relations (internet has had a major impact on this by connecting everybody). Though i'm still worried about the future of social security, the destruction of American family (less men desire to get married & for good reasons), money in politics, and if we'll be able to solve these environmental problems before its too late. Too bad many of us entered into adulthood right as the economy turned to shit. I graduated high school in 2008 and I wish I had a more stable economic situation to work with like it was in the 90's (because college is to damn expensive). Also, sucks that our generation doesn't have anything that defines it. We don't have a great war, or great civil rights movement to get behind (other than making pot legal, lol). Hell, it just feels like most of us are just trying to survive. We have a lot of potential but no where to direct it.

[@billkrebs7908]

Been studying this topic for years (as a Traditional) and I am confident that you have summarized the topic beautifully. Great job

[@wellhedge]

Thx, Bill!

[@IsaacBen]

good one, thanks for posting

[@dejgreen4843]

Honestly as a millennial, whenever I hear a baby boomer or genXer complain about the youth and how we're all stubborn or what have you, I just remember the "old man yells at cloud" meme and continue with my terrible life :O)

[@wellhedge]

+Dej Green Totally agree. Every new generation that leaps across the chasm from adolescence to adulthood is immediately assailed by all the adults that got there before them, decrying their laziness, their narcissism, and their selfishness. Lifestage sour grapes.

[@dejgreen4843]

Lol okay sir. The clouds upsetting you today?

[@mrautomatic9087]

No, not at all. Just telling the truth. Does the truth hurt you?Dej Green

[@dejgreen4843]

Nothing hurts more than having the older generations ( who should be encouraging us) belittle every little thing about us, or assuming that we believe in "Apple products over communication" instead of apple products enhancing communication. Or that we believe in Bernie because we're lazy and want free things rather than his ideas of taking the money we spend on useless wars and military spending and diverting it to things that should be universal such as education, health care etc. but no. You wouldn't understand that because you're old, and can't accept the fact that the pathetic old way of living is no longer suitable for the upcoming generations, and instead of commending our efforts to build a better lifestyle for ourselves, you sit there behind your technological device and berate us all because of the media's impression of us (which does not account for all millennials). We were not the generation who screwed up the world for everyone else, yet you treat us less than those who did, so if this is what you mean by the truth, then yes. I am scared as fuck. Have a good day sir.

[@dejgreen4843]

Wait wait, you're sitting here condemning us as if we're the worst generation ever. Dude it's your generation that has caused the most damage. Going to wars for what? Signing corrupt bills for what? Collapsing the economy for what? You want to start pointing fingers, why don't you take a step back and take a moment to see who raised us 😂. Our generation being lazy is nothing compared to the reckless mishaps your generation has done. Don't try to sit here and speak down about our generation as if yours is some ideal model to look up to. Even if we were as lazy as you might think, in the end we still have to clean up the mess that you bitter old fucks made. "Stop filming and get involved." Involved in what? Rigged politics? I just find it so ironic that you're complaining how we communicate through Twitter and email yet you're sitting here telling me about myself over KZbin. Get the fuck out of here. The clouds aren't even out and you're still a bitter old fool. I just can't wait for your generation to die out so we can finally make the world a better place.

[@jean-luclarue5104]

As a millennial I do think it's unfair for people to talk shit about us for basically just being younger. Millennials are not worse than precious generations, but I don't think we're automatically better either.

[@BrandiLeath]

great talk thank you!

[@oxSoNyAxo]

This is one of the best and most informative talks about millenials I've seen recently. Some very interesting points raised. I'm glad people are starting to look at other generations in a progressive way and without judgement.

[@wellhedge]

Thanks, SoNyA.

[@RickRose]

Scott, a couple of comments: a) I want your job. b) As a GenXer, I admit my distaste for Millennials is often tinged by envy. Particularly as pertains to that whole work/life balance/integration arena. I sometimes think, "Damn. They're just flat-out demanding what we never had the balls to request." Think Oliver Twist here. Go, kids, go!

[@wellhedge]

Rick! Your comment(s) made me happy. Yeah, my job can be pretty fun. I travel too much, but I make the most of it. And yes, THEY ARE DEMANDING WHAT WE WERE AFRAID TO ASK FOR! I will use that TODAY in my talk at Taco Bell. I will cite "Rick Rose," a friend and fellow GenXer/expert. Be well!

[@yesyoucanquilt]

Really enjoyed this. I am the mother of three Millenials and I have always thought they were special in their integration. Gen X can't be too bad because we raised these folks!

[@wellhedge]

Go GenX! We're awesome! (And actually, the mass of Millennials were parented by Boomers. Kids roughly 14 and under are what I call the Post Generation, and they largely have GenX and Millennial parents.)

[@SunnySky7]

THIS. Yes. Thank you!

[@miguelmarmolejo5857]

Having thousands of dollars in debt from student loans that we can't pay off because any job in our field that would pay good enough requires us to have experience that we can't get, because no else is hiring without experience either. I've even see postings for internships that required experience, wtf is that?! I got lucky with my job, but a lot of my friends and college mates are either working jobs that barely pay enough to get by, or aren't in their field, or both. It sucks.

[@jenniferellison6004]

I'm jealous. I couldn't dream of affording college so I'm in an apprenticeship with several mentors. It's the same end result, but it's going to take longer.

[@skonstas4683]

Really? And you studied in what? Social and political science, Arts, Religious sciences, anthropoligy? That is the problem. Too many useless degrees out there for all tastes. You are forgetiing one thing. Our economic model relies on offer and demand. Is your trade in demand? What are we going to do with all of these flakes who dream on making it to American idol? Bottom line is previous genereations did the dirty jobs that you are not considering. I worked cleaning public bathrooms and washing windows at temperatures of -20 on the 20th floor outside so I can gat financially secure. And then went into nursing where there was a lot of demand. You want a good paying job where you can find a position imediately? Take nursing.

[@jenniferellison6004]

What you said right there is the death of the "American Dream". You know, the country where once anything was possible and having a dream was plausible? Where you could grow up and be anything you wanted to be and with enough effort, ambition and determination, reasonably expect it to happen? See, because of people like you, that dream is dying. People like you are actively killing it. I hope you're happy with yourself.

[@jenniferellison6004]

By the way, sweetheart, I'm a costume designer, self taught, being trained by arguably the best costume designer in the Midwest. And I've already received paying commissions that actually paid quite handsomely. I'm getting to the top, slowly but surely. So fuck you. Have a wonderful day.

[@skonstas4683]

No. You are only an entitled snowflake who will never be succesful in life.

[@LouisianaCityboi]

"Cheerleaders pushing me to be my very best." -- So freaking perfect.

[@aerofeisst338]

I was born in 1991 but my dad was born in 1945. ...I get to hear about how lazy my generation is and then go home and listen to how lazy the generation before that was...

[@aerofeisst338]

Actually he was drafted.. 100% disabled veteran. So he did have to go to war. He didn't want to, but he showed up and shipped out. Country boy that had shot guns all his life. He left USA pretty conservative actually.

[@nauort23]

LegendsXXX2 Bet you're feeling pretty fucking stupid! Or you would be if you'd been brought up to own a conscience.

[@LegendsXXX2]

nauort23 not feeling stupid at all. Its hard to feel stupid when your college transcripts show a 3.84 cumulative GPA for years! (If you don't know thats all A's & 3 B's, no C's, D's, or F's) Plus I've been in the US Army & am considered a veteran of the war on terror. You can get disability for almost anything in the Army now days & get to go home & mooch off the government, we call those people "takers" and I don't feel sorry for any of them. Now time to relax after a long day of working on a hospital computer system getting paid fat stacks because I know what I'm doing & do a great job. A few questions for you though, have you ever served your country & defended it with your blood? Have you been through College with a high GPA? Do you work in a professional career getting paid well because your smart? I'm guessing your answers to all of those questions are a resounding no, so in all actuality you should be the one who feels pretty fucking stupid.

[@nauort23]

LegendsXXX2 That should be "because YOU'RE smart," not "your." So much for your education. I wasn't calling your resume into question, I was referring to your going off on an unjustified, name-calling rant about what you assumed someone's father to be--and then finding out that you were 100% WRONG. THAT was amazingly stupid. I'll stand by that assessment. As far as my country goes, or defending it... This country has never been attacked in an act of war in your lifetime, so what exactly have you been defending or serving? I was living (and working, btw, but not for the U.S. Army, most of whom are sitting on their asses at any given moment) in NYC on Sept. 11, 2001. Where were you and your army on that day? Oh, that's right. Every member of the armed forces was basically on stand-by to help POTUS hide up in the air until the coast was clear for him to land back at home. You've NEVER defended this country. The U.S. Army are a bunch of goons for hire who work for global corporate executives and international drug lords. You've never defended (or killed for) anyone else, that's a fact. "The War on Terror". HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Yeah, that's almost as good as all that STAR WARS bullshit, the trillions of dollars of satellite surveillance our tax dollars were spent on during Reagan's reign ("They can read your license plate from outer space..."), only to have a handful of idiots with box-cutters dive bomb the nerve center of your revered armed forces, a.k.a. the Pentagon. Was that on YOUR watch, soldier boy? Great job!!! You're a dupe and a moron--exactly the kind of idiot who signs up to go kill for his master--and call himself a hero. Whoever wasted their money "educating" you has my condolences.

[@nauort23]

LegendsXXX2 That took you a MONTH? BWAAAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! More points for soldier boy. And I bet you did it all on double-dipping time and a half pay at the 'mericuns' expense, no less!

[@madeleinebonn]

Entertaining and inspiring! I didn't check facebook once the entire talk! c:

[@cameronm.3781]

Scott, very interesting talk! As a primary teacher, I find much of what you are saying very applicable. I am a millennial, and I can see how many other staff from different generations are adjusting to my generation of teaching. I also try and make sure not to judge the next generation that I am teaching, as I sometimes catch myself thinking that this generation is not as good as mine was. Thank you for your insight!

[@wellhedge]

Glad you found it useful, Cameron, and thanks for taking the time to write a comment!

[@BaronVonHobgoblin]

Good talk but as a Millennial struggling within the current laissez-faire market all this sounds distant, and cynically unaware of the poverty many "older" (late 20's) Millennials find themselves in. I'm not sure if it is simply the economy, and my generation's lack of middle class parity, but many of us (at least those that I know) feel trapped in a socially toxic fish bowl. Such rosy, and positive words, ironically much like the reference to built-in obsolescence, seem to have run that same course. Its good to know you can say were ok, but does anyone care to do anything to genuinely help us? So far the answer is a resounding NO, our offers to work for less then "living-wage" compensation non-withstanding. Two years ago I would have perhaps shared in the rosy view you profess, but now as the struggle continues my hope is waning. Repeatedly scorned, over-educated and without the economic power to make our voice heard it looks like we are destined to live in poverty while the last gasps of the welfare state supports well to-do (or at least the not impoverished) Boomers; and those who need such support the least ...

[@wellhedge]

Trying to decide which comments to engage with is both difficult and very fun.

[@teratheexplorer]

The comment section always has that potential to turn into a wild mess, but that makes TED also more fun I suppose? :D

[@Nedargiordano]

Love this Ted video.. Great dam job at TED and I really just had a lot of fun.

[@wellhedge]

Wow! Thanks! Your comment made me happy, George.

[@angelafh4208]

Awesome video!

[@ShinjiKataoka]

I feel sorry for you millennials. you guys had to endure bashings from the previous generations. but let's face it: haters gonna hate. so keep moving forward and tear down those walls!

[@Southeast_Asian_Devil]

By moving forward you mean staying in your parents home for eternity, get married and bring your wife to stay in your parents home, get kids and you all live happily ever after in your parents home????

[@PaddySnuffles]

Actually, before "childhood and adulthood" there was "mini adults and adults". It wasn't until around the industrial revolution that the concept of kids having different needs and want from adults emerged. It's part of why the original folktales don't seem child-friendly - they weren't meant for kids because the concept of "kids" didn't exist. And libraries are at an all-time popularity.

[@milascave2]

+PaddySnuffles But some are being closed.

[@wellhedge]

Totally agree that we can all learn from one another! Thanks much for watching and commenting.

[@nigel2373]

I'm 22, this is awesome!

[@EE-zm3tp]

I'm a millennial and I got rid of Facebook 5 years ago.

[@mrautomatic9087]

+EEYOu are a traitor to your fellow Twiter and texters. Get back on those accounts and ruin your life. Tell me, why should anyone want to be on TWITTER? Stupid way to ruin a life. Hey, thanks for reforming. There is not enough of you. Your generation should be called Generation DOOMED.

[@jenniferellison6004]

In still on Facebook, but only for my growing business. I'm a millennial too, but I'm not obsessed over it. It's just for keeping in contact with some clients who find it easier to use.

[@heathbell8375]

+EE I rarely get on Facebook. I'm glad I'm not alone. Though, I'm guilty of YouTubing.

[@lizardiculous4144]

Awe haw haw haw haw haw. Gold star for yooooou.

[@hoodwinkedagain]

Such a great talk. I've always focused on this phrase "Kids these days" because it's so ridiculous. If you don't like the kids these days, talk to their parents. Millennials didn't pop out of the womb any different than boomers, x'ers or the "greatest generation" did, same chromosomes, same phase of evolution... different world and parents.

[@wellhedge]

Thx, Joe! Amen!

[@wellhedge]

***** Ha!

[@rallen1449]

really enjoyed this talk; 5 years later of course haha. Thank you

[@dynamicmaxwell120]

Funny and very informative video. Thank you so much.

[@vapolounge]

"Whatever one generation may learn from the other, that which is genuinely human no generation learns from the previous generation. Thus, no generation has learned from another to love, no generation begins at any other point than at the beginning, no generation has a shorter task assigned to it than had the previous generation." Fear and Trembling - Søren Kierkegaard - 1843

[@NYsalsa101]

Gen X had TV - Millennials have KZbin, Gen X had PBS - Millennials have TED

[@TheLastMillennials]

Millennials had TV

[@ChelseaKrost]

Incredible!!!

[@wellhedge]

Thx! Much appreciated!

[@ChelseaKrost]

Your welcome!! Have a fantastic week:)

[@djb5255]

Hi Scott. Thanks for personally responding. My underlying sentiment is that much of what is used to distinguish the millennials are things given to us by GenXers and BB's in R&D and marketing departments of today's economy - be it from a farmer's market or an electronics company. As Millennials, we have not had much opportunity yet to shape the world except on how we have allocated our parent's money as we matured, as consumers (exceptions like Zberg being rare).

[@coldeed]

It is not a generation problem, its a maturity problem on all fronts. We live in a selfish society that is taught its ok to be a loser, and to be accepting of pathetic traits because that's who you are, spreading the lie that people will love and value you no matter what. People are passing off millennials as fucking children when they are adults. We promote pride without humility, hard work lacking diligence, intelligence without practicality, self importance without any real value. People are hollow these days, and enabled to stay children, excuses are made from them and that's become the acceptable way of life. I am young only being 19, and I understand that my life experience is less then that of many people, but those 5 changes to adult hood are nonexistent to most people 35 and under. As adults I have called out my friends for relying on daddy and mommys money, and told them they have no place to question their parents "rules" over them under their parents roofs, yet am berated with an argument that"we are adults, why should we listen to them" Yet when I tell them to get a job or work more hours they say something stupid like "I'm only 2x, why should I have to do that?" As if that is an excuse for anyone but a small child. They sit and whine about not having a relationship, yet day after day they do nothing to change that. They go to school with apathy and a due for failure in the real world. People are huge losers now, and they are so afraid of that fact it stops them from bettering themselves.

[@jreddoch1]

coldeed, you are a whiner loser and that's NOT OK. Feel better?

[@coldeed]

Do you have a point? Or are you just gonna point a finger at me for what reason?

[@chanellee9762]

the nation's future sounds bleak when you put it that way. what should we do about it?

[@MmmKayHuuNay]

coldeed I'm a millennial and I definitely love people no matter what, as long as they're a good person. I know all that other shit doesn't matter. That's what Disney taught us.

[@boogeymanws]

Not much support near the end. Maybe compare: flip phones to iPhones, blockbuster to Netflix, yellow pages to Craigslist.

[@wefbo570]

+Anthony Holt XDDDDDD

[@thebudkellyfiles]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have been puzzling over the millennials for years. I got to the point where I was feeling irritated by them, for lack of understanding, and started called them millanals. This talk opened my eyes. I think you are right, they ARE better than us. They are who we would have been if we had the chance at that age. They have their problems (like saying "yeah, no") and challenges, but you have to admire the way they deal with them. I am enlightened. Bud age 67,

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Yeah . . . . The greatest word in their limited vocabulary is “whatever”. . .

[@bootlegapples]

Missing in all of this discussion is the social engineering that greatly influenced the respective generations' traits.

[@dreamontoday230594]

good talk. i am a milennial but i find milennials to be rather boring. i don't think the inclusiveness (portrayed by glee or something) is that genuine. its rather conforming to everyone else which is not really celebration of difference. everything seems to be judged by numbers like facebook friends, popularity, and youtube views as shows by our apparent icon, Justin Bieber. I agree we have more powerful technology and less discrimination but I find people to be rather boring. And at times it seems like people are just nice to you because of political correctness and to avoid conflict rather than being nice to you from genuine empathy.

[@MasterTSayge]

donlga siko I agree . I'm also a millinial and I get along with gen x more the gen Y by far.

[@elgrigorio1]

THe problem with millennials is not just that some of them ar eboring, it's their egregious sense of self-entitlement, their political correctness, their trigger warnings and inability to defend themselves like human beings. They've been poorly educated in schools because education is now unfortunately nothing more than propaganda. And of course the politicians are a big problem as well for promoting this; banning this, banning that, raising the cigarette age, hate speech laws, socialim-promoting, etc. I give props to the millennials who don't act liek this and they might be the hope we have to keep this country from going from bad to worse.

[@lancerd4934]

Here's what people get consistently wrong about the "extended adolescence" thing - it isn't driven by millennials, it's just experienced by them. Millennials started entering the workforce in the worst economy since the great depression. They're still the most educated, yet least employed cohort out there. In seeking to cut costs, what few jobs companies are offering to young people are temporary, part time, underpaid, or not paid at all. The average millennial is carrying $40,000 in student loans, and by age 29 makes $35k a year. Millennials by and large, simply cannot afford to hit those hurdles of leaving home, being financially independent and starting a family. It's not selfishness, it's not narcissism, or entitlement, or laziness - it's just basic fiscal responsibility. This is actually a common theme in discussions about millennials in many fields. People want to attribute social and technological changes to young adults because they're the new kids on the block, but while they may be affected by those changes, they aren't actually driving them. The internet was invented by baby boomers. Members of gen X developed the self-esteem movement. Justin Bieber, Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Lohan were hired by gen Xers and work for boomers. Patterns in markets and structural changes in the workplace are set by managers, CEOs and investors, not part-time baristas, college students and entry-level employees. We don't know what effects millennials will have because they haven't been here long enough and aren't currently in a the necessary positions of political and economic power to cause them yet.

[@wellhedge]

What you say is largely true, but here's the rub: When I'm talking, I'm talking about what effect these forces -- many of which are indeed occasioned by Boomers and GenXers -- have on the Millennial mindset. In other words, if the culture has created "extended adolescence" at a time when the Millennial generation is coming of age, what impact will that have on their worldview? I'm not attributing the culture to Millennials; I'm attempting to interpret what impact the culture is having on them and how they move through it. Given the cultural forces you cite, Millennials have indeed "applied a roadtrip mentality to the roadmap" of adult life. They are less binary, more exploratory.

[@wellhedge]

Thanks, Charles. Yep, it's a big question. I'm particularly interested, right now, in thinking about (and studying) how Millennials will live as full-forged adults, given that the front edge of the generation is now 30+ years old and likely getting married, having kids, etc. In a world where the college degree, the mortgage, and the 401K/stock market are far from guaranteed good investments, what path will Millennials forge? Thx for your comment!

[@shellidawn]

great perspective. Yes, I agree, a soft science, none the less one that offers perspective. I was born in 59, my sister in 69. In the second grade my teacher whispered, "her mother is divorced, ya know" My sister had ski lessons and a car when she was old enough to drive. I had a babysitting job to buy necessities. Many things we share in common, some things we can not at all relate. I love this information and appreciate the incite.

[@Blueberry40]

I'm a Millennial, I love Glee, but The Breakfast Club Owns.

[@JeriDro]

+Blueberry40 waste

[@Blueberry40]

+DreamWarrior waste what?

[@JeriDro]

of mind

[@reggieromero6899]

Doesn't matter what generation. "When you grow up your heart dies."

[@raularmas317]

Earnest hemingway: In this (broken)world never be ashamed of feeling broken bc if doesn't break you, it will probably kill you.

[@theborderlinechick2717]

Thank you 😊

[@lizardiculous4144]

In the end, everyone just wants to feel that their efforts are appreciated and what affect their contributions have made to others. It makes life meaningful and worth something. Love, gratitude and acknowledgement. A divided people will cripple an economy, a nation.

[@wellhedge]

120K views? Holy schmoley. That's cool.

[@isidoramartinez6510]

Scott Hess how do you feel? What does It mean to you

[@jnyerere]

As a millenial, I have to say that his speech was really crappy. I usually love TED talks, but this one was just dumb and awkward, especially the "case studies" he was using to make his argument. He was really doing more to shame Generation Y than he was doing to praise it. Really...Justin Beiber is OUR idol? Really....Facebook the best website? Where was this guy getting his information from? 8 yr old girls?

[@zenanon7169]

I loved this talk....helps a lot.....thanks....from X'r

[@wellhedge]

Thanks for the nice comment, Jim! Glad it helped!

[@sircharlesmormont9300]

Heck, I'm from Hamilton, OH! Nice to see a local guy making good.

[@earthling1984]

I don't agree with most of this. Mainly his theme that older people are jealous of younger people. I'm technically a millennial (1984), but, I grew up and was out of college before smart phones and all this social media stuff. I don't use social media, nor do I use any apps on my cell phone except GPS, Weather Channel, & text. I am not jealous of any of the technology that has come. I'd rather we didn't have smartphones. Would be happy to have been born 20 years earlier.

[@jozigirl7114]

Earthling1984 I agree, this guy is trying so hard to be "down with the kids" that it's actually cringeworthy. Millenials are actually people born from 1995 and onwards; you are thus one of us, a gen-x.

[@ceeeceee8753]

JoziGirl Generation X are people born approximately in the years of 1965 and 1979. Generation Y, also known as Millennials, were born in the years of 1980 to 2000. Generation Z is 2001 to present.

[@jreddoch1]

Millennials are born after 1995? Um, what? huh? Whah? No. . .

[@isab7146]

I think you're forgetting that this talk isn't about you as an individual.

[@pivotdudee]

Earthling1984 “The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.” Who do you think said this? Some guy that lived recently or is still alive?? Try Socrates

[@pierrotclowns9235]

GenX is the smartest Generation by far. We had to learn all the old ways as demanded by our Boomer parents and came up with all the stuff Millenial's enjoy now. Plus the one fault I find in Millenial's is their trust of Corporations. That trust will leave them one of the most abused generations in history. Corporations and Banks have already robbed them and their children of their future and they barely have even gotten started. I have nothing against Millenial's. My problems is with irresponsible Baby Boomers and what they have done to the last 2 great generations and they will still be robbing a 3rd generation before they are done.

[@wellhedge]

As a GenXer, I agree that we're the smartest. Our parents pushed us; then the economy pushed us. Plus we were forced to learn "the basics" in school, so we have a pretty solid toolkit to work from. And, also as a GenXer, I absolutely have found Boomers the most annoying generation to work with and live with. As much as people want to say how "entitled" Millennials are, I don't think they come close to Boomers. That's my own personal opinion.

[@pierrotclowns9235]

Scott Hess On those points, I couldn't agree with you more.

[@mahlononthemoon2728]

Um no

[@mahlononthemoon2728]

Smart generations make the world better for the next.

[@blackhound2645]

Another point to remember is the effect that generational conflict has on us (the millennial). Being constantly told that we are lazy has an effect on the group psyche that is a huge detriment to success. In efforts to prove the other generation wrong actions such as Adderall abuse and "pulling all nighters" is commonplace in order to increase productivity and prove that we are not what the other generation perceives us as.

[@jmitterii2]

I think the biggest difference is technology advancement... which is good. Because we don't want technology to sit still, and especially vanish or become forgotten like a dark age.

[@rockster0192]

Age aint nothing but a number

[@WuffWoof]

This whole generational thing irritates me every time. I was born in 1980, I'm basically a generational mutt. I don't or barely identify with either definition of either generation. Teen idol? Why? Everyone has their own version. I know I didn't have one. I do identify with being tech savvy, but a friend I grew up with who is roughly a year younger than me is just now catching up. I don't like apple. To me apple means over priced and insidiously innovative; mostly in the area of emptying your bank account.

[@wellhedge]

Generational theory is soft science, and it's all about *generalizing*. Nothing applies to everyone. Still, for big companies and governments who have to consider how to connect with the most people for the least investment, these generalizations do prove very handy.

[@Atombender]

Also correction about Mark Spitz, he won 7 Gold medals in 1972 and 9 overall.

[@FuckNirvanafangirls]

I'm 20 years old and I love this speech! Great speech! I am a millennial.

[@wellhedge]

Thanks, kid! As Nas said, and I'm paraphrasing: The world is yours.

[@Clariccy]

the world is everyone´s are you gen x ? you talk like a grandpa

[@wokk9543]

nah your zillenial now

[@velja27]

I think the message in the video might not have been heard by enough of Gen X. I hope in the future there will be Millennials pointing out the differences and benefits of PostGen generation.

[@wellhedge]

Now *that* comment makes me happy! Thanks, velja27

[@johnc1014]

I'm weird. I'm a millennial by age, but I do not fit in with other millennial. I see many of them as lazy, entitled, trying to act "cool," trying to be "gangster," and that sort of stuff. Rebelling against authority, irreligious, irresponsible, etc. I'm value traditional Christian morals and principles. Responsibility, hard-work and working for what you want (not entitlement), patriotism, good morals, intelligence and education, going to church, volunteering, trying to be a good person, etc. I used to have a Facebook account, but even then it was only so that I could "like" scholarships and apply to them. I've never used Twitter or any other social media. I have a few friends here and there, but I am far less social that most people my age. I like country, Christian, and foreign language songs and music. I am very conservative and traditional. I don't care about what's new or "cool." I care about what is proven to work. I am not close-minded to new ideas, but I am a lot more cautious about them and close-minded to what I know doesn't work. Although, I do love advances in technology. Apple being so innovative, they obsolete themselves. That's awesome. You don't have to worry about your competition if the thing you're competing with is your last invention. The one thing I don't like about apple is that they are so far ahead many other programs aren't compatible. That's why I have to choose PC. Library vs. internet- Internet so wins. If I have a question or want to learn something, I google it. I'm an Aerospace Engineering major. There are enough Open Course programs online, I'd bet that I could possible learn everything I'm going to have a lecture in online. Khan Academy is great for math and a few other subjects. I can learn bits and pieces of other languages online. I can watch a lecture for free from Yale University or from a university in Australia or England. In this way, I am so a millennial. One last thing- I do not embrace Evolution. I see its numerous flaws and the evils that is gives rise to. People seem to believe it just because the scientists say it's true. I don't put a whole lot of faith in the scientists. They are just as biased and susceptible to lies as the rest of us. This was a great presentation, but I hate how he ended it with this fraudulent theory that deserves to be put in the trash bin.

[@wellhedge]

John C Don't worry about not conforming to the outlines of "your" generation. You can be anyone you want to be. And, chances are, the you that you are will continue to change throughout your life. As far as evolution goes, my point is that each generation is better prepared to live and succeed within the context it is born into. The generation adapts to the challenges that it's presented with. That's all. Also, you might want to reads this: www.notjustatheory.com/

[@johnc1014]

Scott Hess Thanks for the article, but I already know what a theory is. All of science is comprised of theories. The difference with Evolution is that it is a false theory. Sure, there is change and adaptation, but that is limited to within a given kind of life (humans, cats, dogs, horses, etc. No new kind of life can arise from this change. No kind of life is related to any other kind.

[@johnc1014]

***** Prove it.

[@studioaccount5253]

Look at his title "Global Youth Research". The description of what he does makes it sound like he is doing something noble. Look at the skateborder sneakers he's wearing that don't make any sense with his haircut. And lastly, understand his technique - it's the same technique that has been used to sell you things for generations: Whose the best?? You ARE!! so keep doing what you do and keep buying those products that OUR clients want you buy. He definitely knows EVERYTHING about Millennials, because he is watching them ever so closely and tenderly with all of that handy data that he gets from the social media that Millennials, Gen X's and every other generational demographic that marketers have created and coined. NO-ONE chooses to be reduced to superficial categories, but it's easier to sell and appeal to you if you believe that somehow you are part of a group, a movement. Prior to this I had no idea who Scott Hess was, but if I were to think of a reference that an Gen-Xer might get - 21 Jump Street - undercover. WHO WINS? good question.

[@wellhedge]

Michael Michael, thanks for the comment. My middle name is Michael, and my younger son's name is Michael, so I like you immediately. Doubly, even. Your comment inspires many questions, but perhaps none more pressing than this: What haircut should I have with those shoes? Or, perhaps more relevant: Given my haircut, what shoes SHOULD I be wearing? Please answer one or both of these questions, if you can. Also, another: Do you see me more as a Jonah Hill or a Channing Tatum? You can be honest. I can take it. Best! - Scott Michael Hess

[@RottingLegend]

I'm a millennial and I see where Scott Hess coming from, but I think his ending statement was the most profound. Every generation, ideally, is evolving and utilizing what the previous one has attributed to us. From tools and resources to culture indulgence. The next generation will only continue to become greater if the previous ones keep paving the way with their innovation and hard work. It was Gen X responsible for giving us all the tools that they are jealous we get to utilize coming up. Hopefully my generation will do the same, and so on and so forth. The only thing that sucks is that whether or not you follow the general trend of your generation, you're automatically placed with any negative preconceived notions because of when your parents decided to copulate.

[@martiniquewilliams2223]

Hello Scott, My apologies for the tardy reply (college finals, I'm sure you understand). Item 1) THANK YOU for calling me a "poet", it means a GREAT DEAL!! 2) Yes, I am TECHNICALLY a Millennial, but "on the cusp" (born August of 81). A phrase was coined to describe myself and those born in similar years.. We dubbed ourselves Gen. "Why". We maintained more of a Gen. X mentality and manner of behavior. Thus, when I speak, I speak moreso as a prevailing voice for Gen. X. Gen. X birthed forth a groundwork for the Millennial to build upon. Gen. X capitalized on a widespread use of computer systems (in home) and popularized such as a a world, an entity unto itself. We (X-ers) created a system that capitalized upon our "aloof" and "elitist" behaviors/comfort-zone, while still maintaining communique with the world at large. Millennials merely perpetuated the system. Therefore, X-ers are at the ROOT of their jealousies!!! The stereotypical Millennial is said to be more "social" by nature. They (Millennials) merely adapted the technology to meet THEIR needs. Millennials turned X-ers "Indie-Invitational" system into a "Rave-based" free-for-all. Which resulted in a separate means of employment, shopping etc. But X-ers were the ORIGINATORS!!

[@j2582]

Oh yeah just how the first versions of computer systems ORIGINATED in the generation before yours. The millennials consistently show evolutionarily novel traits, which indicates higher intelligence (You may want to look up evolutionarily novel traits and perhaps discover for yourself what they indicate within the scientific community). Yeah we're proud, we have to be, because generation X has extremely low tolerance, is exceedingly egotistical, and is very materialistic. In fact part of the reason we appear to be so proud is because we have to match the pride of generation X, a generation that is particularly vain. If we don't, we get shit on. We can't accept that because we are very aware of our self worth. I guarantee that the millennials will not clash with the next generation nearly as much as Gen X is clashing with Gen Y. The reason for that is because, as the he says in his lecture, we're "inclusive".

[@Muslim604c]

Funny and interesting talk.

[@CJHess-gc2sh]

Thanks! I did my best. Glad you liked it.

[@wellhedge]

C.J. Hess Ugh, once again I accidentally replied from my son's account. :-)

[@Muslim604c]

Scott Hess These damn GenX-ers, they don't know how to use technology! Lol :)

[@wellhedge]

Muslim604 Ha!

[@wellhedge]

Thanks, D-Dubs!

[@aaron8862006]

And one more thing... as a millenial, I am compelled to post this to Facebook, so my friends can see it. You've clearly got this down to a science!

[@maryanngarland012]

There's many anti-corporate millennials though. I'd say I'm "commerce lubricated by conscience" as you said, but my peers seem to be more interested in disrupting the capitalist establishment.

[@Immortalkalashnikov]

+Mary G I think when corporations start building their own private security forces and given more green lights to fuck us over then you'll understand why so many hate corporations. Example one, Wachovia was caught laundering billions of dollars for the Sinaloa Cartel yet all they had to do was pay $160 million to be let go. All executives will continue to live their wealthy lives while directly being involved in laundering money for some of the worlds most violent and brutal people. While on the other side, an American who gets caught with a small joint of Marijuana goes to jail and has his life ruined for the rest of his life. Do you think that's right? If you do, then you're part of the problem.

[@johnbennett7554]

+nunya biness Corporatism and Capitalism are the same thing. This is a straw-man argument....and a common one at that.

[@talltroll7092]

Corporatism and capitalism are actually nearly diametrically opposed, but carry on...

[@kendrasaurusRex]

It's a bit odd to say millenials can be represented by Justin Long in Apple ads are also represented by Justin Bieber - also, I think that the change in attitude towards work and company loyalty comes from being offered less compensation in terms of job security, benefits, pensions, and promotions than ever before. Loyalty and work ethic isn't worth it when you will be never be more than an employee number on a corporate analyst's spreadsheet. In terms of marriage, we are largely the children of non-nuclear families, and we love them, and thus feel less pressure to urgently form a nuclear family. Also, you used to be able to have a good job with a bachelors degree, now the norm is to get one, so you have to have a masters or some extra training to be competetive, and with tuition being double at least what it was for Gen Y, we're graduating older, poorer and accustomed to being treated like garbage at the part time jobs we've held for the past decade.

[@brattybabyneia987]

I'm so appreciative of this I feel like milennals get it harsh with no one acknowledging we low-key were more neglected then generations before many of my peers parents are some type of addict or a single mom who barely can pay us attention, as well everything moving at a way faster pace with no real middle man like it feels like you need to be extra rich or super poor now days no in between & it's projected to get worse

[@max22148]

Great talk. I like how you pointed out the differences and how "open" Millennials are compared to the "clics" in X-Gen. I now want to find a solution to make them work together since we will be in the same workforce for at least 20 years. I also agree with Kratosthe, we will see the real impact of the Millennials in 20-30 years period.

[@wellhedge]

Yep, Maxime, I've had fun in a few offices talking and thinking about how to help Boomers, GenX, and Millennials work together. There are a bunch of folks who are becoming expert in this niche. One of my favorites is a guy named Brad Karsh. Very good guy.

[@none5428]

Scott Hess I have found Boomers and Gen Xers "believe" Millennials are immature and truly do not understand the way the world works. I see it with my parents and extended family. I am 35, born in '78, but consider myself a "futurist". It's in my DNA to explore, be in awww of the world and all it has to offer. I understand economics, politics and commerce. I have a 9-5, but I am not satisfied with that. I want more. My parents, their friends and extended family exhibit fear and shock when I dare to speak of becoming better than what I was born into. The fear and shock quickly turns into laughter and my "adolescent audacity". I own a small business making organic beauty products. I just wish I hadn't listened to my families fears and started my small business when I was a teen. Our son is 3.5yrs old, we are already getting him used to coding, we are starting education and business funds for him. It's not just the 'globe' is our home anymore. Our play ground is the entire Universe...

[@tigerex777]

Jealous of millennials? I think TeDtalk now allows anyone with a mouth to go up stage. I remember back when I had an analog cellular phone, heck, let's go back to when I had a beeper, no no, let's go further back when I had to use public phones, yeah, those were the days. The days where I didn't have to know EVERYTHING about everyone and everyone's whereabouts. Smartphones changed modern day relationship dynamics so much it's almost generic to a fault.

[@kwhaley5245]

+Daniel Lim Just because our generation handles social interaction and relationships differently doesn't mean said relationships are "generic", or that they are somehow less meaningful than those of genx or baby boomers. As for your second sentence; isn't the very meaning of TedTalks to offer new views or opinions you might have not considered before? It doesn't make the opinions truthful, as I know not ALL genx or baby boomers are jealous, but I think it's a opinion that's (at very least) worth considering.

[@kyleboyd1360]

+Brian Lawson Depends on your definition of meaningful... As early as the 1930's it was popular for women to only go out with men who offered gifts, and to not be seen with the same boy too often. So it sounds like you're just another whiny old person who only sees things from their point of view. www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/article/history-dating

[@dothedeed]

+Daniel Lim Yeah you also remember the days when you didn't have to be working 24/7 because your boss was limited from contacting you outside of the office

[@yuionanodesuyo]

+Daniel Lim here you are, on the internet, complaining about the existence of the internet...

[@saradanhoff6539]

@Brian Lawson If you were left with the world we are by your entitled self absorbed locust-like predecessors, you'd be pretty depressed too.

[@LuvinLyfe052]

I was born in 1981. I simply just don't feel like I fit the millennial make up. I feel lost lol

[@jreddoch1]

You don't fit the stereotype that baby boomers made up for you.*

[@greatemployeeschooltv7861]

Many people in the age range of the "typical" millennials don't feel as though they fit. And, then again, there are those who are not in that range who feel as though they possess certain "traits" that are similar. Best thing is: Be who you were created to be... and have a plan for personal development of YOUR gifts and strengths. No need to feel lost any more when you follow who you were created to be. No need to "fit in." Hope that helps...

[@GenXer82]

People who who are in the "cusp" area fit into a micro-generation called "Xennials".....a term actually created by Xennials!

[@nathanmedina2809]

You can still be consider X

[@bubblebuttbubberduck8912]

Or maybe you're a starseed

[@wellhedge]

Dude, you are dropping some *serious* knowledge here...

[@ijyoyo]

Great talk. I think we're back on the work life balance though

[@misfitforever15]

I was born 1997 and the way we live and what we do is completely different from kids born 1999-2013, so why are we classified with them? We grew up(1990-1998) with vhs's, nickelodeon, playground, outdoors, big tvs, making our own fun, bad graphic video games, respect, morals and the walkman they grew up with dvd, cellphones, computers, pvr, flat screen tv, mp3, ipod, ipads, instant entertainment and no morals. Personally I think the kids born in 1990-1998 should be a separate generation than z cause the kids born in the 90s were living a mix of the of 80s life and new millennium life. I know typically its suppose to be 15 years but being a generation so much on the border we should have our own; call it the inbetweener generation. It doesn't even have to be 90-98 it could be 95-98 but we don't belong with the millinems we weren't even born than heck I had 2 years of life before the millenium hit 

[@meshakvb6431]

I think you're quite a bit too young to weigh in on this conversation. Also, being born in 1997, you had most of those things before you were 10 years old. You're not even grown yet. I understand what you're saying, I was born in 88, and I don't feel like I 'grew up' with ipods and dvd players and all that fancy shit... most of it didn't become widespread until 2005+... I highly doubt that anyone born in 99 had a terribly different experience than someone born in 98... but I suppose you have to give a cut off somewhere, and the line is always a bit blurry..

[@misfitforever15]

I didn't have/most of the kids in my grade have technology like they do today till i was 13, thats 13 years of life that is completely different than kids today

[@meshakvb6431]

Generations happen in roughly 20-year increments. When you say kids, I guess I think of a 13 year old as a kid. There is no difference in my mind. Small children right now will not be part of the 'millenial' generation though, don't worry! ;-)

[@misfitforever15]

ya kids born from 1995-2014 are part of the same generation and its stupid cause the world and peoples live have changed so much its such a huge different things arnt the same for me as a kid as it it is for kids born in 2005 but were still classified as the same generation kinda stupid lol

[@wellhedge]

misfitforever15 It's silly to get worked up about generational theory. It's soft science, a useful way for brands and companies and governments to generalize about big groups of people, the better to develop products and messages that appeal to the most people. But as far as your personal identity, don't sweat it. You have total license to be anything and anyone you want.

[@cockybox1]

The worst generation is by far the Silent Generation. Too young to experience the Depression and WWII and too old to be drafted during Vietnam. They grew up during the post war prosperity, and reaped all the benefits that the Greatest Generation worked hard for. They never worked as hard as the generation before them, or the Boomers after them, and lucked out because their small population meant they didn't have much competition, especially during the economic boom of the 1950's. They became the most prosperous generation in US history and now they are right-wing, greedy, Republican Tea Party nut-bags that are ruining the economic climate for Millennials.

[@johnmontgomery6550]

This gave me the conclusion to my next paper.

[@wellhedge]

+John Montgomery Nice.

[@wellhedge]

Over more than two decades of virtual friendships, I've found that the lines between real and virtual blur considerably. In fact, a few things I've noticed: - I'm sometimes closer (or feel closer) to people I only know virtually, perhaps because the discomfort of f2f doesn't exist. - Many of my "real" friendships become deeper when I add a virtual component to them. Neighbors who I see every day in person who then become FB friends...often become more vivid to me in virtual space.