Is it possible for older generations to add value to “Generation Create” (or Gen Z) in the conversation surrounding imagination?

In August of 2020, USA Today published a story entitled “Generation Create? Gen Z might be the most creative generation yet, poll says”

The article interacted with a study done by Harris poll at the behest of Adobe Inc. The study interacts with the shared characteristics of young people born between 1997–2012.

Besides finding they were the “most creative generation yet.” The study found they were “digital natives who are more creatively inspired by family, friends and love more than any other generation.” Moreover, in the study there was a recurring theme of new technology, art, cooking and social justice engagement. They are an age group that literally grew up shaping and molding culture in the palms of their hands.

As a result, old fogies like myself (born in 1988) must ask the question, “What substantive insight on the imagination can we give this next generation?.” To interact with the words of Thanos, “we merely adapted to this technological revolution, they were born in it.”

I want to argue that men and women born before 1997 have much to contribute to the cultural conversation pertaining to imagination. The primary ways that we can contribute is through understanding; we already creatively inspire them, we can give them the ability to vet our experience and we can encourage them towards lasting ideals.

Inspired by family and friends

It’s interesting that although this next generation was reared in an age of social media they are still young and coachable. According to the survey, more than any other generation polled they are more creatively inspired by loved ones (family, friends, etc.) This means that one of the major ways that we can help to inspire the creativity within the next generation is through authentic and sincere relationships.

The good, bad and ugly

One advantage that age affords is experience. There is an old adage that says, “a smart person learns from their own mistakes but a wise one learns from the mistakes of others.” As we encourage the next generation to be innovators we can help them filter their ideas through our past success and failures. Having a wider pool of experiences will serve as a resource bank for their future endeavors.

Lasting ideals

I think we also can shed some insights on the ideals that have withstood the test of time. Younger people are still trying to identify these mores. We can provide guidance from the temporal into the ideals that have lasting implications. This type of engagement helps to cultivate better lifestyles which in turn cultivates better art, career movement and holistic flourishing.

In summary, Gen Z or “Gen Create” is one of the most creative generations we have ever encountered culturally. While we can learn alot from their technology, business and artistic acumen, we (older generations) also can contribute much. Gen Z are creatively inspired by their loved ones, we can offer our experiences and general wisdom as they seek to imagine our future reality.

Question of the day — Is it possible for older generations to add value to “Generation Create” (or Gen Z) in the conversation surrounding imagination?

Zachary Middleton (follow @zachdmiddleton on Twitter and or check out the Linktree link to explore other ways to support — https://linktr.ee/Gracetocultivate )