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Tag Archive: online

The Millennials and Their Musical Nostalgia

Written on September 7, 2010 by Josip Petrusa

Music has always been one of the greatest and treasured pleasures of life. From celebrations to concerts, the morning run and your commute to work, music has provided an empowering, mystical, mesmerizing, smoothing and joyful characteristic to many aspects of our daily lives.

The Current Face of Music

It’s prowess has withstood time. It’s power to engage has been nothing short of extraordinary. In recent times, the inception of P2P file sharing, downloading, pirating, MP3 playes and YouTube have all allowed the musical experience to grow tremendously. Once you add growing mobile phone capabilities, MTV hit shows displaying the songs played during the episode in the bottom left corner and Apple’s musical social network PING, it’s as if the sounds of music are everywhere.

What’s more fascinating is that Millennials are absolutely entrenched in it. How could they not be? They’re highly involved in the expansion of music, though that shouldn’t be mistaken for the expansion of the actual music industry. The success of Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber can directly be attributed to them.

Not only are both industry successes, they are dominating the social media world. Both are amongst top Twitter pages, Facebook pages and have been battling on YouTube for most views amongst other accolades. Interestingly, musical artists have done something not even the biggest brands in the world can say they’ve accomplished.

Millennials clearly have had an impact on the industry as a whole. Though the glamorous days of enormous music industry profits are decades past, thanks to online alternatives, music itself is expanding, again thanks to online alternatives. But rather than a sense of forward expansion, we’re seeing re-absorption and re-emergence of times past.

Millennial Nostalgia

A recent study by PEW has shown that amongst those aged 16-29, 46% and 45% say they “like a lot” both Michael Jackson and The Beatles respectively. The same can be said for The Rolling Stones at 35%; Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Cash at 25%; and the King himself, Elvis Presley at 24%. Though the study itself was meant to show distinctions amongst generations, and as a result a specific set of musicians was picked in the study’s survey, I can’t help but wonder how Millennials are absolutely nostalgic about music that came decades before their existence.

Besides Kanye West, Carrie Underwood and Coldplay – who were liked 32%, 31%, 30% respectively – I’m sure other more current and current artists could’ve faired just as well. However, the point here is not to suggest that.

The Millennials taste for music hath no boundaries. But why is that? The untimely death of Michael Jackson further iconolized a musical icon, of which has made him amongst the top Facebook pages. The Beatles Rock Band shed light through the booming game-console industry within the franchise of the very successful Rock Band series. Motion picture “Walk the Line” encompassed the life of Johnny Cash. And the smooth, clever and witty Sinatra-esque Michael Buble has caught the hearts of many. Though, are these examples, amongst others, enough to attribute the want for past greats? Or is it their feat of greatness, the ability to outlast all else, the basis here? Even the presence of the online world can’t be neglected.

A Want For Something Greater

Yet, there is a series of notions that shouldn’t be dismissed either. The Millennials want to be part of a story, the want for a sense of musical sophistication, the want for rebellion, diversity, deeper meaning, purer music, greater capacity to absorb more music, the want for more music and ideas of a “simpler time” can all easily be imperative characteristics in understanding this nostalgic musical effect. Something even Madmen and Forrest Gump provide insight to.

The connection Millennials have with music is undeniable. However, their nostalgic relationship is almost redefining of all our perceptions of music. It’s quite clear that the online world has had great consequences but music has expanded in the same sense. And will continue to expand as musical resources grow.

But, what’s truly fascinating is the liking of musicians and bands that were great decades before the youngest of Millennials were even born. Is this a measure of true greatness or the uncanny ability of the Millennials to absorb? Hmm, maybe both. Just know the Millennials are beyond the present. Not because they have to be, but because they want to be.

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26 Facts About Millennials Online, Social and Mobile Behaviors

Written on August 18, 2010 by Josip Petrusa

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There shouldn’t be any doubt in anyone’s mind that the evolution of the internet, the introduction of social networking and advancements in mobile technology have forever changed the world we live in.

What’s more interesting is that there is a group of individuals growing with these strong trends. And although everyone in the world itself is also experiencing this, the Millennials themselves are unique simply due to the fact that much of what is happening in their young lives will shape their future. And the future of the world.

What’s even more fascinating is the fact that there is no comparison to backdrop against the Millennials. Much of what they are experiencing is new to everyone. With all that being said, below is the composition of research based statistics. Of which all are painting a picture of Millennial behavior for all of to understand.

Based on our understandings of who the Millennials are, they are individuals born roughly between the years of 1980 to 2000 – varying on opinion. That puts the oldest at 30 and youngest at 10.

With all that being said, here are 26 statistics that provide a glimpse into understanding the Millennials online, social and mobile behaviors. Enjoy!

The Online World

1. 93% of those aged 12-29 go online.

2. Seven out of ten teens aged 12- 17 have a computer.

3. Two thirds of those aged 18-29 own a laptop while half own a desktop.

4. 63% of teens internet users go online everyday.

5. 48% of teens aged 14-17 have bought something online. Just under six out of ten girls make online purchases compared to just under half of the boys in the same age group.

6. Nearly seven out of ten 14-17 year-olds get news online about current events.

7. Four out of five aged 12-17 own a game console compared to six out of ten aged 18-29.

8. A quarter of 12-17 year-olds go online via game console.

Social Networking Sites

9. 55% those aged 12-13 go on social networking sites versus 82% of those aged 14-17.

10. Nearly six out of ten 18-29 year-olds have more than one social networking profile more than one site. A number that is increasing year over year.

11. Social networking fatigue: one out of five teens aged 13-17 no longer visits Facebook or is using it less.

12. Social networking abandonment rates with 13-17 year-olds: MySpace at 22%, YouTube and Twitter at 15%, Facebook at 9%.

13. Two thirds of 13-17 year-olds reported decreased Facebook use in last 6 months. Half say the reason is the result of “lost interest” or simply, that “it’s boring.”

14. Decline in online teen activities over last 4 years: everyday messaging to friends is down 5%, sending group messages is down 11%, private messages is down 16%, and posting comments on a friend’s blog is down 24%.

15. Teens are still highly active in commenting on friends pictures (83%) and page or wall (86%)

16. Girls between ages 14-17 use Twitter more (13%) and boys in the same age group (7%).

17. 37% those aged 18-24 post status updates regarding themselves on Twitter and other status updating sites. They also view other updates. Up 19% from two years earlier.

18. Teens in decline towards blogging activity. Since 2006, teens who blog has declined by half from 28% to 14%. Teen commenting on blogs through social networks has also declined from 76% to 52%.

19. Blogging has declined in those aged 18-29 from 24% three years earlier to 15%.

Mobile Phone Activity

20. Two thirds of 18-29 are cell phone internet users.

21. 78% of teens aged 13-17 have a cell phone.

22. Texting has increased 566% with 12-17 year-old over the last 3 years.

23. Eight out of ten of those aged 13-17 send text messages.

24. Over nine out of ten 18-29 year-olds own a cell phone. Up 22% from 5 years earlier.

25. 95% of cell phone owners aged 18-29 send and receive text messages. 93% also take pictures with their cell phones. Highest among any demographic

26. Seven out of ten 18-29 year olds go online via cell phones at least once a day.

I’ll admit, the numbers aren’t all that flashy – they’re not meant to be. But they’re more important than you realize. They’re an insight into Millennial technological behavior. A behavior that can’t be avoided, though it’s not as simple as the numbers make it seem.

Nevertheless, I’ll let you be the judge of what’s important and what isn’t. Just keep in mind, many of these numbers are growing in the directions stated. They’ll be more impacting than you think.

(Sources: Pew Internet, Breaking Down Millennials: From Sharing to Connecting)

(Photo credit)

Facebook Babies: A Generation Growing Up Online

Written on July 21, 2010 by Josip Petrusa

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About two weeks ago, Mashable published an article based on a study by Oxygen Media and Lightspeed Research. The study points out the behavior of women on Facebook. And there’s more than a few interesting numbers to come out of this. 34% of women between the ages of 18-34 will check Facebook before doing anything else after they wake up; 21% will check it in the middle of the night; 79% are fine with putting up pictures of themselves kissing along with 42% putting up pictures of themselves intoxicated; and finally 39% consider themselves to be addicts.

Emerging Facebook Behavior

What’s interesting here is that 54% don’t trust Facebook with their private information and a clear majority of 89% say they would never put up anything they wouldn’t want their parents to see. It’s fascinating that the study points out behaviours on both sides of the spectrum. At one side, these women are clearly into the Facebook scene. However, in that same breath, they want to be private, to some degree, about what they share.

As we’ve all seen, Facebook privacy has become a serious issue. Governments have even rallied to oppose some of Facebook’s action. With all that being said, I’ve seen a growing trend on Facebook. And it’s one that has got me dumbfounded. One with more serious implications than any us can possibly comprehend – considering it’s never happened before. This trend is the emergence of Facebook Babies.

And I’m not talking about children being conceived because of Facebook or people starting their relationships on Facebook. That’s another story in itself. What I’m pointing out here is the drastic increase of individuals – and from my own observations, young Gen-X and older Gen-Y mothers – putting up pictures of their newborns on Facebook. If you’re experiencing deja-vu and flashbacks of Jim Carrey’s “The Truman Show” you’re not be alone.

Growing Up Online

Although “The Truman Show” is a movie based on chronicling the life of a man, which was made to be a reality-based TV show within the movie, these Facebook Babies will in essence experience the same thing. If these patterns hold true, these children will have their entire lives recorded on Facebook for the world to see. Can you even imagine your parents sharing everything about you growing up to people beyond those that were always around you? It’s mind-blowing to even think of the thought.

What’s even more interesting is that this goes back to my article of understanding the growing difference between sharing and connecting. I argue that the earlier half of the Millennials will be prone to sharing information online, more particularly those born in the early 1980s to early 1990s. When you take it one step further, these Facebook Babies are from parents, especially mothers, that are born in and around this time. As a result, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an entire generation literally grow-up online. Based on my numbers from my previous article, the study linked at the beginning and through observation, Facebook Babies will represent a generation starting in the years of 2008-2010 and one that might last to 2020-2024. Maybe even beyond.

Facebook Babies: A Generation of Firsts

We will watch an entire generation of firsts. First birthdays, first steps, first days of school and so on. Though privacy is a legitimate and serious issue, we’ve all lightly brushed that aside for what we presume to be a fair trade-off for use. The irony here is that the majority of us – Millennials and Gen-Y – would never want anything to do with our parents online, yet we are putting pictures up of our own young children. Not only is this ironic, the ramifications to this trend could be extremely severe. Something we’ll face only after it happens.

Unfortunately, we really won’t know the ramifications of any of this until time passes and these children grow up. In my opinion, this is a situation that is beyond serious and something that shouldn’t be taken lightly at all. No one really knows what this can lead to. It’s one thing to have photo albums in our house. However, it’s a completely different world and experience to be sharing those photo-albums with everyone else. Am I overstating the simple and harmless act of picture sharing? Possibly. Though, to some degree we already have serious issues with sharing pictures of children.

Like I stated above, imagine if your parents did this to you. After all, these Facebook Babies don’t know any better than to smile at the camera when you say “cheese.” They at least deserve the slightest protection and a safe environment. These Facebook Babies will always be smiling. Let’s not give them something to frown about when they grow up and realize what’s going on.

Gen-Y’s Living Life In Front of a Green Screen

Written on July 19, 2010 by Josip Petrusa

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The lights are on. And the camera is rolling. You’re the focus of attention. Now, you just have to decide what you want to put up on the green screen. The idea here follows its same use as in the television industry. You can quite literally impose any image you want onto the screen. That means you can be anybody you want. Anywhere you want. When ever you want. So, what do you have on your green screen?

What Are You Putting Up…

Perception and influence have always been the deciding factors in how the world views us and how we want to be viewed by the world. And although this has always existed to some degree and extended with the introduction of the internet, social media and social networking has further helped allow anyone to become anyone they want. The question here is, what is real and what isn’t?

To say that we deal with and live through different realities online is almost too obvious of a statement. You will act one way with your real friends on Facebook. Professionally with your connections on LinkedIn. And in an appeasing manner to satisfy the followers on Twitter – who are complete strangers, newfound online friendships and pre-existing real-world relationships. You may even act the same throughout the either social world. Or you even might act in a more diverse manner than what was mentioned. But the idea here goes further than all of that.

The Green Screen Syndrome

The Green Screen Syndrome is apparent within all members and aspects of society. However, Gen-Y – and all the Millennials that encompass it – is extremely affected by this mode of thought. A mode of thought that is based on influence, lifestyle brands and consumer horizontalization. But don’t be fooled here. Gen-Y is not faking being someone else. They are themselves. Rather, they’re only showing the world the good bits and pieces of their story.

This is what the green screen allows you to do. This is also what the social world helps you accomplish. When you’re creating your online-self, you’re really only showing your best-side. And it’s only natural to do this. You would never walk into an university lecture hall and tell the person beside you “I’m really unintelligent.” Or walk into an interview and tell the interviewer you’re under-qualified for the position. When’s the last time you ever walked into a room and yelled out “I suck!” Never.

We’re all very competitive by nature. With that, we all necessarily don’t want to be the best. In many cases, we want to be just good enough. The fascinating thing here is that bar for “just good enough” is being raised at an exceptionally fast pace. It’s not about having nice jeans. It’s about having those designer jeans. The idea behind the product is moving to the idea behind a brand. And Gen-Y is buying into it.

Everyone’s Watching. Right?

They’re buying so much into this idea of personal extension through brands that they are effectively tearing down any brand hierarchy and in fact, slowly putting them all down to the same level. This effect of consumer horizontalization is the bar Gen-Y is following and raising. With the green screen in mind, it’s not about dressing nicely, driving a car or having a cell phone. It’s about being at that cool event in your Boss suit and her BCBG dress. It’s about the BMW’s and Benz’s. It’s about the BlackBerry’s and iPhone’s.

For the majority of Gen-Y, the Green Screen Syndrome is a reality. A reality where our online and offline self’s are endlessly reinforcing each other. When we do share online, we’re not sharing simply for the purpose of showing everyone. We’re trying to make a powerful statement about ourselves. Our offline identities and our online profiles are becoming examples to show why we are the best, great or at very least, good enough.

As long as the lights are on us and the camera is rolling, we’ll be putting up some great things for someone to watch. Or at least, we hope someone is watching. What would be the point of doing all this for ourselves? What would be the point of doing all this if no one was watching? Hey, who took down the green screen? Wait, was it even up before…