Generational differences
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Every generation needs a new revolution.” — Thomas Jefferson
Generational differences shape the way we see the world, the values we hold, and the ways we communicate. From the silent generation to Gen Z, each group is molded by the unique historical, technological, and cultural moments that define their time. What one generation sees as progress, another may view as disruption. What was once a symbol of rebellionmaynowbeamarkerofidentity.
How do we bridge these divides and truly listen across generations? In this issue, we explore how generational differences both challenge and enrich our collective understandingoftheworld.
EDITOR’S NOTE
“Every generation needs a new revolution.” — Thomas Jefferson
Generational differences shape the way we see the world, the values we hold, and the ways we communicate. From the silent generation to Gen Z, each group is molded by the unique historical, technological, and cultural moments that define their time. What one generation sees as progress, another may view as disruption. What was once a symbol of rebellionmaynowbeamarkerofidentity.
How do we bridge these divides and truly listen across generations? In this issue, we explore how generational differences both challenge and enrich our collective understandingoftheworld.
MICRO-GENERATIONS
By Haeun (Regina) Kim
Layout by Haeun (Regina) Kim
MICRO-GENERATIONS
Haeun (Regina) Kim
Layout by Haeun (Regina) Kim
Ibetween micro-generations such and who and Millennials, Gen share former bridging while either. Zalphas between possessing consciousness digital borders GenAlpha.
Haeun(Regina)Kim
Technological Literacy
By Haeun (Regina) Kim
Layout by Haeun (Regina) Kim
Technological literacy is a skill that is becoming increasinglyincreasmore necessary in the modern academic world and job market. A vast majority of jobs require digital skills, and technologyhasintegrateditselfinto ourdailylives.
Technological literacy is the ability to effectively use, manage, evaluate, and understand technologytoaccomplishtasksand solve problems, beyond merely operating devices. As systems become more and more digitized, digital fluency has become an essentialskill.
However,adaptingtothedigital world can be challenging at times, especially because of how rapidly technology is advancing. The shift to highly user-friendly, but less transparent platforms means people
peopleoftenusetechnologywithout understanding how it operates, requiring constant awareness to avoidmistakes.
Tobuildtechnologicalliteracy,it is important to create a strong foundational understanding of digital tools. By experimenting with different websites, apps, and platforms, one can familiarze themselveswithdigitalnuancesand applytheminthefuture. Itcanalsobeimportanttoutilize online resources or tutorials. Seeking their help can be instrumental, particularly for more complicated technological feats. By engaging with technology more in our day-to-day lives, we can graduallyincreaseourtechnological ltieracy.
Technological Literacy
Haeun (Regina) Kim
Layout by Haeun (Regina) Kim
Technological literacy is a skill that is becoming increasinglyincreasmore necessary in the modern academic world and job market. A vast majority of jobs require digital skills, and technologyhasintegrateditselfinto dailylives.
Technological literacy is the ability to effectively use, manage, evaluate, and understand technologytoaccomplishtasksand solve problems, beyond merely operating devices. As systems become more and more digitized, digital fluency has become an essentialskill.
However,adaptingtothedigital world can be challenging at times, especially because of how rapidly technology is advancing. The shift highly user-friendly, but less transparent platforms means people
peopleoftenusetechnologywithout understanding how it operates, requiring constant awareness to avoidmistakes.
Tobuildtechnologicalliteracy,it is important to create a strong foundational understanding of digital tools. By experimenting with different websites, apps, and platforms, one can familiarze themselveswithdigitalnuancesand applytheminthefuture. Itcanalsobeimportanttoutilize online resources or tutorials. Seeking their help can be instrumental, particularly for more complicated technological feats. By engaging with technology more in our day-to-day lives, we can graduallyincreaseourtechnological ltieracy.
GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN SOCIAL BRAIN
By Claire Baek
Layout by Haeun (Regina) Kim
Older generations look at adolescentswatchingtheiriPads with eyes glued to the screen while eating lunch boxes, and say, “When we ate, we looked at each other, not at these devices.” What different generations had access to during their early years is significantly different, primarily due to the development of technology. Older generations spent free time reading comic books, listening to the radio, orwatchingTV,ifnotgoingoutside to play in the open yards and neighborhood streets. As time passes, recent generations are increasingly surrounded by social mediaandAIeventhroughouttheir childhoods. Growing up in these different environments can shape attention spans, empathy, and social interaction in unique ways—both beneficiallyandnegatively.
The social brain is the collection of interconnected brain regions and neural processes that allow us to understand and interact with others. Underlying this structure is the concept of neuroplasticity, which implies the brain can be adapted to its environment, especially during developmental stages. The brain responds to experiences—positive or negative— and triggers changes in structure and function. These changes can range from strengthening connections to reorganizing brain circuits, impacting empathy, social skills, and even mood. As a result, the environments each generation grows up in are not just cultural backdrops; they actively shape how the social brain develops and, in turn, how people interact with one another.
GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN SOCIAL BRAIN
Claire Baek
Layout by Haeun (Regina) Kim
lder generations look at adolescentswatchingtheiriPads with eyes glued to the screen while eating lunch boxes, and say, “When ate, we looked at each other, not these devices.” What different generations had access to during their early years is significantly different, primarily due to the development of technology. Older generations spent free time reading comic books, listening to the radio, watchingTV,ifnotgoingoutside play in the open yards and neighborhood streets. As time passes, recent generations are increasingly surrounded by social mediaandAIeventhroughouttheir childhoods. Growing up in these different environments can shape attention spans, empathy, and social interaction in unique ways—both beneficiallyandnegatively.
The social brain is the collection of interconnected brain regions and neural processes that allow us to understand and interact with others. Underlying this structure is the concept of neuroplasticity, which implies the brain can be adapted to its environment, especially during developmental stages. The brain responds to experiences—positive or negative— and triggers changes in structure and function. These changes can range from strengthening connections to reorganizing brain circuits, impacting empathy, social skills, and even mood. As a result, the environments each generation grows up in are not just cultural backdrops; they actively shape how the social brain develops and, in turn, how people interact with one another.
Older time face, books means communication, contain encourage long-term interactions emotional strengthen communication. online primarily and understanding yet deep not online
ISTHEREATHING SUCHASA“RIGHT” WORD?
Writing
& Layout by
Zoe Chang
I n 2022, a post titled “Student from SeoulNationalUniversitydoesn’tk
now‘geum-il’”surfacedtheinternet.The post contained a screenshot of an online conversation between a professor and his students, in which the professor reminded students to turn in their assignments by “geum-il” to receive full credit. Confused between “geum-il,” which means “today,” and “geum-yo-il,” meaning Friday, a student asked, “isn’t it due on Friday?” When a peer clarified that “geum-il” meant “today,” the student complained that it was the professor’s fault for using a word that could be easily misinterpreted.
This was not the only post that sparked controversy. Personal accounts of the younger generation’s limited vocabulary spread through online communities, social media, and even mainstream news. For instance, many professors complained that students were using Arba, an abbreviation for the Arbeit, meaning part-time jobs, instead ofitsofficialterm.
A survey by EBS revealed that 70 percent of fourth grade students in Korea find difficulty understanding their textbooks. These instances were all centered around and point towards one concern: is the younger generation losing their ability to read and write properly?
The concern is not completely arbitrary, though. The lack of traditional, sophisticated vocabulary not only staggersstudents’learningprogress,but also prevents them from properly communicating in professional fields and workplaces where they have to interact with older generations. Differences in how one perceives language lead to disruptions that could beavoided.
However,theabandonmentofwords and the adoption of new ones might be the natural processes of how languages evolve. Just like how we do not speak Shakespearean English, use the word ‘vicissitude’ to describe life’s ups and downs, and consider ‘soccer’ an official termdespiteitbeingaslangbefore,
ISTHEREATHING SUCHASA“RIGHT” WORD?
Writing & Layout by Zoe Chang
n 2022, a post titled “Student from SeoulNationalUniversitydoesn’tk languages words being passes, ‘official younger theslang communicate. generation less capable are using express themselves. The of the fast-changing Although communication new words dialects comparatively
‘geum-il’”surfacedtheinternet.The post contained a screenshot of an online conversation between a professor and his students, in which the professor reminded students to turn in their assignments by “geum-il” to receive full credit. Confused between “geum-il,” which means “today,” and “geum-yo-il,” meaning Friday, a student asked, “isn’t it due on Friday?” When a peer clarified that “geum-il” meant “today,” the student complained that it the professor’s fault for using a word that could be easily misinterpreted.
This was not the only post that sparked controversy. Personal accounts the younger generation’s limited vocabulary spread through online communities, social media, and even mainstream news. For instance, many professors complained that students were using Arba, an abbreviation for the Arbeit, meaning part-time jobs, instead itsofficialterm.
A survey by EBS revealed that 70 percent of fourth grade students in Korea find difficulty understanding their textbooks. These instances were all centered around and point towards one concern: is the younger generation losing their ability to read and write properly?
The concern is not completely arbitrary, though. The lack of traditional, sophisticated vocabulary not only staggersstudents’learningprogress,but also prevents them from properly communicating in professional fields and workplaces where they have to interact with older generations. Differences in how one perceives language lead to disruptions that could beavoided.
However,theabandonmentofwords and the adoption of new ones might be the natural processes of how languages evolve. Just like how we do not speak Shakespearean English, use the word ‘vicissitude’ to describe life’s ups and downs, and consider ‘soccer’ an official termdespiteitbeingaslangbefore,
Generational Differences in “Career Preference”
Written by Aiden Woojin Cho
Layout by Zoe Chang
F or one generation, success constitutedacombinationofpres-
tigious jobs and high salaries. However, the definition has shifted, prioritizing aspects such as flexibility, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. The generational divide is remodeling the glorification of hard work, hustle culture, and the conceptofgettinga“dreamjob.”
Previously,muchofsuccesswastied to stability and the prestige of one’s occupation. For instance, lawyers and surgeons were deemed successful as both professions are long term careers that guarantee stability, health insurance, and retirement plans. To them, pursuing a separate passion or hobby was a privilege. However, millennials and Gen Z are less allured to pretentious job titles. Today, young aspiring workers view their dream jobs as professions that align with their values or passions, even if it means sacrificing financial steadiness. Many of them have a dream to start their own businessorfreelance.
Overall, the newer generation is chasing a dream that they care about, rather than a job that feels safe but is unfulfilling.
Thegenerationalsplitisalsoevident in the drastic change in the glorification of hard work. For older generations, sleeping late, working long hours, and pushing limits was honored. On the other hand, younger generations view the hustle culture as harmful and unnecessary. Rather than grinding out the traditional path of going to university and getting a stable job, they wouldrathertakeonotheroptions,such as creating content with AI from home and dropshipping. The dominant definition of a career is no longer hours worked, but instead a different path of makingastartuporworkingfromhome. Thereisabigdividebetweenwhether toclimbthecorporateladderortobuild thelatteryourself.ForGenX,thepathof success was constant: become an intern,getpromoted,retirewithfinancial stability.
Generational Differences in “Career Preference”
Written by Aiden Woojin Cho
Layout by Zoe Chang
or one generation, success constitutedacombinationofpres-
tigious jobs and high salaries. However, definition has shifted, prioritizing aspects such as flexibility, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. The generational divide is remodeling the glorification of hard work, hustle culture, and the conceptofgettinga“dreamjob.” Previously,muchofsuccesswastied stability and the prestige of one’s occupation. For instance, lawyers and surgeons were deemed successful as both professions are long term careers guarantee stability, health insurance, and retirement plans. To them, pursuing a separate passion or hobby was a privilege. However, millennials and Gen Z are less allured to pretentious job titles. Today, young aspiring workers view their dream jobs professions that align with their values or passions, even if it means sacrificing financial steadiness. Many of them have a dream to start their own businessorfreelance.
Overall, the newer generation is chasing a dream that they care about, rather than a job that feels safe but is unfulfilling.
Thegenerationalsplitisalsoevident in the drastic change in the glorification of hard work. For older generations, sleeping late, working long hours, and pushing limits was honored. On the other hand, younger generations view the hustle culture as harmful and unnecessary. Rather than grinding out the traditional path of going to university and getting a stable job, they wouldrathertakeonotheroptions,such as creating content with AI from home and dropshipping. The dominant definition of a career is no longer hours worked, but instead a different path of makingastartuporworkingfromhome.
Thereisabigdividebetweenwhether toclimbthecorporateladderortobuild thelatteryourself.ForGenX,thepathof success was constant: become an intern,getpromoted,retirewithfinancial stability.
Recently, taking startups. entrepreneurs rather Overall, success the older and generations autonomy. how the fulfillment other longer something reward. these influence aswell.
President: Grace Lee
Vice President: Yeonjae Kim
Copy Editors: Russell Jin, Charlotte Kim
Art Editor: Haeun (Regina) Kim
Public Relations Managers: Zoe Chang, Woojin Cho
MASTHEAD WRITERS
Claire Baek
Zoe Chang
Woojin Cho
Austin Chung
Jacob Sung
LAYOUT
Zoe Chang
Charlotte Kim Haeun (Regina) Kim