The iPad Kids vs. Technology (Issue #61)
This week’s theme is technology and the ways we adapt (or don’t) in this new frontier!
Hi friends!
Andrew and I always joke that we were born into the only generation that actually knows how to use technology. Generations above us still seem to struggle to learn the new programs their work now requires, while generations below us seem so accustomed to a pre-packaged technological word that their troubleshooting skills are sometimes…lacking.
We weren’t born into the current technological world, but we grew alongside it. Back then, I learned to dodge pop-ups and viruses like a pro as I made my way through illegal video streaming sites and YouTube torrents to get my cost-effective media fix. By college, I was teaching myself basic HTML so I could customize my Tumblr blog.
Tech literacy seemed to be a priority in school, as we made our way through computer typing classes, PowerPoint tutorials, Microsoft Excel assignments, and advanced Google Search demos. There wasn’t an assumption we’d know how computers worked from the jump, but there was an expectation that we’d learn quickly and efficiently. We might not have been considered digital natives, but we navigated the world of computers and the World Wide Web like pros.
Flash forward just a few years to the childhood of younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha. In their youth, the internet looked a lot different—more streamlined and user-friendly. There was just not the same need for technological workarounds and troubleshooting.
I was telling my friend about all this, and she recommended this episode of The Polyester Podcast, which examines learned helplessness in Gen Z/Gen Alpha, drawing the connection between a user-friendly internet and generations of people without the skills and motivation to problem-solve online. Their conversation draws heavy inspiration from this video, and I highly recommend you check out both. It’s an interesting conundrum – a world where toddlers know how to unlock iPads but teens struggle to format a Google Doc. 😂
For today’s issue, take a journey with me through the internet - then and now!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
HuffPost: There's A Deadly Drinking Problem On TikTok by Jessica Lucas
This article was a really harrowing read about creators who gain popularity and income from binge drinking on TikTok Live. In particular, this piece focuses on 23-year-old David Lee Perez, who died of alcohol poisoning while hundreds of TikTok live viewers tuned in to his stream. Lucas examines the dangers of TikTok trends like this and examines what can be done to prevent these tragedies in the future
Substack: The Internet is Boring in
byIt's easy to complain that the internet is not what it used to be, but I loved how
came prepared with solutions. I really enjoyed thinking about the idea of having control over what the internet is, even in small ways. Highly recommend you check it out!
Netflix: The Circle Season 6
I’ve been a fan of The Circle since its premiere, and I’ve loved watching the gameplay advance in recent seasons. In season 6, they introduced an AI as one of the catfish, which I thought was such a fun innovation that helped the strategy evolve in key and complex ways.
A reflection + action for your week. Compete on your own or with friends – I dare ya!
Truth - If you had to live inside of one computer or video game, which one would you choose? Why?
Dare - Host a found media party! Found media refers to pieces of media that were once believed to be lost or extremely hard to find. Visit this list, and choose a film (or a few) to screen at your party!
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise I’ll only ever share items I love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
I bought *this printer for myself as a New Year's gift, and I’m obsessed. It’s Bluetooth (which means I can print from my phone!), and I’ve registered for HP Plus as an extra perk. The HP Plus account tracks the ink levels on your printer and sends you a new ink cartridge whenever it senses it’s running low! All you have to do is pay a monthly subscription fee based on the number of pages you expect to print. The program is free for the first 6 months, so you best believe I’m printing as many color projects as possible before I have to start paying, lmao.
I stumbled across the browser extension Beni a few months ago and am excited to try it out. While you’re doing your normal online shopping, you can click on Beni and it will show where you can buy a pre-loved version!! It’s a great resource for reducing waste, and saving money! Here’s a video explaining how it works in more detail:
Since buying a house, I’ve had a lot more incentive to cut eating-out costs, and this pantry recipe finder from Epicurious has been the best resource! All you have to do is select the ingredients you have on hand, and it will filter recipes that you can make!
Until next week!
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