Talkin' 'bout my Generation

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The 4 Types of Technology Adapters

Regardless of age and stage, we all have a unique relationship with devices and digital media. Most jobs of the future will require some tech uency.

What kind of adapter are you?

ThE Rebooter Type: Always reinventing a newer, better version of themselves and his or her personal and professional “operating system.”

M.O.: Stays on the cutting end of trends and adapts quickly by adopting new technologies.

Notable Rebooter: Steven Tyler is timeless and ageless. He

called on Congress to modernize the music industry in light of streaming technology and – from 1948 to present day, from Aerosmith to the Super Bowl to the Kia “time machine,” he knows how to “walk this way.”

Credit: TinseltownShutterstock.com

Out-of-Range Cowboy Type: The rugged individualist who doesn’t want to run with the herd.

M.O.: Eschews technology in favor of old school interaction.

Notable Cowboys: Christopher Walken says it’s

“peaceful” to not use a computer and borrows cell phones from film crews while shooting.

Credit: s_bukley/Shutterstock.com

THE COLLABORATOR Type: Knows that two heads are better than one and isn’t afraid to make multi-generational partnerships.

M.O.: Stays relevant by collaborating with younger folks.

Notable Collaborations: Tony Bennett’s fresh duets

with Lady Gaga and U2’s partnership with Apple.

Credit: DFree/Shutterstock.com

Missed the Memo Type: A bit lost in the digital world and can no longer keep up.

M.O.: More likely to use pen & paper as it’s less overwhelming

than learning new tricks. ZOOM? FaceTime? Huh?

Notable Memo-Missers: Your Uncle Dave who uses his flip phone because he “doesn’t need the apps” and the countless one-hit wonder musicians who never even made the dinner theater circuit. (Hint: don’t let this be you!)

www.theonswitch.com Nancy A. Shenker, theONswitch founder & CEO, has dual citizenship in the conventional and digital media worlds. She wrote a book about AI and robotics called Embrace the Machine and a column called Bots & Bodies for Inc.com. Nancy is an award-winning content strategist. She is a former C-level executive for brands including Citibank, MasterCard, and Reed Exhibitions (producers of ComicCon). Her column, "The Silver Hair Playbook: How to Be a Bad-Ass After 50" appears on Thrive Global.

This chart was produced by theONswitch. All photos are from Shutterstock and for editorial use only.

This chart may not be reproduced without written permission from theONswitch.