Sunday morning it was. Lazy me. Even when the sun was almost overhead. I was still asleep. Somehow, because of the yelling, I wake up. And the first thing I do is, find my phone! What I see is dead battery. I hurriedly find my charger and run to plug in. And what! No electricity! Horrifying! Isn’t it? How was I going to check my WhatsApp? How would I know who messaged? How would I know what's happening on Instagram and Facebook and Twitter and Snapchat and... How will I plan my Sunday? How will I survive? So many thoughts in a jiffy. And why so? Just because I am 'Connected'! So connected to the social media. So connected to the people online and not to the people around. So connected to my gadgets. To my cellphone my laptop my tablet. An hour passed and two. I had nothing good to do. And I look out through the window. And what do I see? I see the shining sun, the chirping birds, the playing kids, the lush green trees, the blooming flowers, the barking dog. Connected? Are we? We are connected to people and things in ways we never imagined. Social media, gadgets, and wireless technology. Is this being ‘Connected’? I don’t think so. It is then that I realize it's time now to disconnect and to connect. So let's not connect to gadgets and connect to people instead! by: Jinal Bafna
I remember a day in 2010 breathing space at a hotel in St Petersburg.
It was drizzling from peep of the day, which made around absolutely
magnificent. From the morning I was humming a lovely-soothing tune.
And then …… It stroked me all of a sudden realizing that I was not
being able to recall the song or lyrics. Can you imagine, how it
feels! It feels like sitting right before that yummy Mexican pizza but
unable to bite it! The more I try to remember, the more it confuses
myself. As if it reaches my throat but I am not able to utter!
Disturbing isn’t it? Hunted through the web-consumed 4 glasses of
coffee-banged WWW mesh but surrendered eventually! That magnificent
around appeared so feeble so dull! But exactly then I started tumbling
to the fact that, creative Gen C is ringing bell inside me, with
ideas-aspirations-opus. It’s that, I was really missing the
functionality or application of ‘searching music by hum’.
Then Gen C mellows
Was I meagre in exploring enough or this feature is absent for Gen C totally!
I asked about the availability of such quirk at several contacts over
internet. Following that many others responded mostly with advices,
agreements, sharing comments and hitting ideas.
In those comments, someone hinted input of humming-technique-query
could be as ‘la-la-la-la’ or ‘hmmm-hmmm-hmmm hmmm’. Someone expressed
wish to meet a tool that narrowed down search query by Era + ‘hum’.
Therefore it was quite evident that Gen C world didn’t win this
feature yet! On the other hand I felt so proud to read those comments.
The factuality discerned a sense of being virtually united, perceived
a virtual connection of homogeneous thoughts.
Did we find treasure of life?
As Gen C demands, Gen C evolves and Gen C gains. Some unbelievable Gen
C teams ushered in working on ‘speech recognition’ technique long back
and developed STT (Speech To Text) during 2009-11 period. Indeed a
renaissance. WWW nexus is now crammed with applications/software that
let out huge results of music by humming or sounding. There are tools,
light-weight programs. Now-a-days whenever I hum, my neurons wend Gen
C. No more dull afternoon!
Gen C Wants Their Voice Heard on Morality-Fair-Play-Justice “For Other’s”
Gen C knows to make their voices heard. Do they voice for other Gen’s,
when question is on morality-integrity-fair-play-justice-bone of
contention?
Gen C is being Gen C in workplace-personal life. What about Gen C
being Gen C for society, for country, for world? Do we, Gen C work for
better society?
From what I see, we do.
This magnificent country, India has been known for various elements
including spirituality, diverse religions and passion. However it has
its darker side as well which screams out loud on
crime-hatred-unsocial activities. Common people suffers defenceless,
they urge at justice system. Judicial system is at its best. However
when keynote is about a country of 1.2 billion population,
concerns-complications endure to control crimes and unsocial
activities. Inhabitants of hamlet-village rage while they sense
injustice or helplessness. When case involves rich-powerful families,
victim’s voice is unheard or suppressed.
Such difficulties are often undisclosed or partially imparted.
Frogs out of the well:
We are Gen C. We do more than only watching/reading for ourselves. We
got cable network squashed with huge number of news channels on the
television, got enormous number of mediums (social network) to
interface the world. Victims who howled in dark, now have opportunity
to vocalize. They share over media. They encompass social networks to
reach out apt Communities.
Past centuries could never thought of asking direct questions to
Country leaders, demanding clarifications of their actions for
country. The efficacious media intervention not only involves swarms
to join the appeal for sufferer, also compels government to hear and
clear up.
In India because of Gen C, we already have evidenced such headways
like a recent fast-track court for urgent cases, availability of
pricey medicines at lowest cost, opportunity to analyze our decision
to vote for right, awareness on charity organizations for
contribution, clarification on doubts reading other’s comments-views
and much more.
Did we find treasure of life?
I am Gen C. My blog readers are Gen C.
We watch football using smartphone, we share our pictures on social
network, we like-share other’s. We utilize technological-scientific
innovations.
Our voices are heard.
This is also time for other Gen’s voice heard by us “because we CAN”.
“Because we Communicate”. “Because we Curate”. “Because we are
Creative” and especially “because we Connect”.
A Heart Touching Story of Pen-pals That Being a Gen C I cherish
Once upon a time there used to be this ‘pen-pal’ or pen-friend’ thing.
Digital communication was dreamy then. For my Gen C friends here is
the quick lead-in about it (what I learnt from my mom). During 20th
century precisely, the era of 50s and 60s, where tech and scientific
progress was brisk, people wanted to come out of the confined well, to
know the unknown. Newspapers classified Ads started publishing
Pen-pals to elevate the idea of communication and to reach the swarm.
Those Ads included pivotal information of a person such as name of the person and postal address. My mom during her teenage was so much fascinated that sent a letter to one such contact (by name which seemed to be a lady and trustworthy!). Months went by, no reciprocation while fading out the event, she got a reply with an acknowledgement and prologue to the lady for starting the conversation. Mom replied back and the letter-exchanges eventually kept live for 6 long years.
Clearly they became good friends who never met yet fathom out a lot about each other (even more than the friends they used to see everyday in person). One letter arrived once stating about her getting married and invitation my mom to attend and unite for the first time in person. Due to some reason mom couldn’t attend, instead sent a letter back with apology and good wishes for future.
They promised to remain pen-pals forever. And years gone, Mom waited
impatiently for further letters from the lady and eventually lost
heart speculating that she must be busy with her new life. A good 4
years later that long-yearned letter arrived from the lady stating
that she was relocating to several cities in last few years, so she
couldn’t write in. However now moved to the same city as my mom and
expressed to meet. She mentioned a phone number on the letter as well.
Mom rushed to call from land-line phone immediately in great delight,
called repeatedly but phone number didn’t work! Went to the telephone
company and they said there were some maintenance. Mom found the
address from the telephone directory and decided to directly reach the
address. Dramatic chronology continued when the house owner said, the
lady and family had to leave the address due to some urgent crisis
last month. Muddled my mom noticed the letter date and realized that
letter was dispatched few months back! This was heart-breaking! Mom
eventually sent a letter to the old address of the lady mentioning
mom’s address, own and neighbor’s fixed-line numbers (she didn’t want
to miss any chance of get reached), anticipating that one day the lady
would most-definitely read and get on to. My mom spent years
cherishing the gifted friendship she got.
Then Gen C mellows
One sunny morning in 2007, the sun was gleaming more than usual. I got
a ring on my mobile from an unknown gentleman who was looking for my
mom. While asking about the reason, he said he is son of my mom’s
pen-friend! He went to his ancestral home and found heaps of letters.
He contacted fixed-line numbers mentioned in those letters which
didn’t work (Gen C advanced far more). He then tried social network,
after a bit found my mobile number. He expressed desire to let our
moms meet. Rest was like a dream come true, a dream that you never
wish to come out from. We arranged a get-together at our home. I
still remember when the house-bell rang, my heartbeat accelerated, I
could sense my mom’s teary eyes. MY MOM WAS MEETING HER ‘PEN-FRIEND’ A
GOOD 30 YEARS LATER after enough dramatic consequences! The whole
evening was magical. We were surprised to see the moms in less
talk-tears-emotions-glittering eye-hands in hands mode. Their eyes
talked so much for the years they missed each other. That one moment
when I was looking at them I whispered “Thanks to Gen C world”. This
is what gave us that incredible evening. Both moms couldn’t end
vocalizing their thankfulness for us. They never ever imagined this
could be possible.
Did we find treasure of life?
‘Phewwwww! Thank god’ that what my readers probably is feeling right
now while reading till this! Aren’t my Gen C reader’s face expressing
‘thanks to the Gen C world” as well like me? The ‘happily ever after’
thing of this story wouldn’t be achievable without the Gen C
evolution! We are thankful to the Gen C mode that doesn’t let us miss
those valued friendship unless we personally try to go aloof. What if
we still remained in the letter mode, we would have left with the
letters as souvenirs and regret for not getting a chance to meet in
person. That’s so eyeful of Gen C.
Letters->land-line->mobile->email->chat. Pen-friend ->WhatsUP. The
journey is precious and what we have is to be treasured. Gen C
Cultivates Communication.
It’s Sunday evening and my wife has no interest in cooking. I and my
wife with our daughter jump into our car. I ask my mobile to make a
reservation for the family at one of the nice restaurants in the
neighborhood using an app. Three seconds later, my mobile beeps with a
voice message: “Within 3 kilometers all restaurants are full tonight.
You can reserve a table 4 kilometers south on M.G. road at Dev Uncle’s
restaurant. The restaurant has a barbeque special tonight.” At the
same time, a map highlighting Dev Uncle’s location appears on the
car’s GPS screen. I confirm the reservation and the GPS vocalizes the
directions.
I then, on my wife’s request, ask the car’s audio system
for a recap of today’s family TV show which we missed. Two minutes
later, the car lurches and the car’s security system indicates that
the right front tire has just gone flat. I instantly get a call from
Road Rescuers (with whom I have yearly contract) asking if I need
assistance. Ten minutes later, still waiting for Road Rescuers to show
up, my mobile beeps with a message: “It seems that you are going to be
late to the restaurant. Do you want to update your reservation?”
Twenty minutes later, Road Rescuers have come and gone, we are up to
date with the happening on the family show, my daughter has filled in
her friends on the tire adventure, and we have reached to Dev Uncle’s
restaurant, ready for that famous barbeque.
Even before I could register the term “Gen C” by saying it aloud a
million times - the first instance made me feel tad bit handicapped
about my unawareness to these recent fancy-shancy terms.
Farthest that my memory takes me, the buzz words were Gen X or Gen Y.
But to my astonishment on digging more I found that there does exist
Gen X - Gen Y and Gen Z as well. Really?!
Having enriched myself with the valuable information about the Gen’s -
I went to hunt about Gen C, one step at a time– and Gen C differs
immensely from the above – it is nowhere close I would say. :D
Having spent considerable time in the IT world I had already taken my
guesses, as to what it could possibly mean – “C” I thought would have
its implications somewhere closer to the consumer world.
And to my delight, wohoo… – I was close. :)
The sources on google define “Gen C as a powerful and global group of
consumers who thrive on creation, curation, connection, and community.
The important take away about Gen C is they don’t just passively
consume—90% create online content at least once a month. They’re
passionate brand advocates— two thirds agree that : If there is a
brand I love, I tend to tell everyone about it.”
To say - could I agree more to the above?!
Being an avid reviewer of every restaurant or every new place that I
probe to, the definition was not new to me it was just that the word
was not coined YET in my vocabulary list. :)
With the fresh addition of the word in my vocabulary list, I would put
it to use by stating that as a “GEN C” : I proactively use Bloggers,
Instagram, Food reviewing sites like Zomato, Twitter and Travel
reviewing sites like Trip advisor to advocate my potent views about
restaurants and places that I venture to.
I try to explore the new restaurants and places with every opportunity
I get. I must say,I do get deeply involved to observe each and every
intricate details of the restaurant. These detailings range from the
ambiance, cleanliness of the place, behavior of the staff,
presentation of the food, quality, quantity and flavors of the dishes
served.
The same applies to any new place that I visit – I espy about the
location, list the must have for the visit, various dos and don’ts,
best time to be there.
The basic motto remains the same - gather as much information as
possible and put it across for the world to know.
I have this strong urge to help each and every consumer with my
experiences. With the help of my reviews and the photos that I add
along, I try my best to provide a visual treat of what’s in store in
actuality.
If I like a place I advocate about it strongly and if I dislike the
place I voice out my opinion humbly.
As a gen C – I try to connect all through my content centric reviews
and value adding pictures.
It helps everyone out there to have access to a sort of database where
they can fetch the preferred information as per their needs.
In addition to the consumer even the provider gets constant feedback
and would know its good points and its pinch points. It even
attributes to bridge the consumer-provider gap.
Above all it promotes active connected consumption instead of passive
consumption.
I must not forget to mention my Dadu, as we dearly call him is also an
active Gen C contributor. Surprised?!
Yes, even he actively uses social media platforms to gather
information, share information and stay connected via various web
platforms. This is proof enough that any Gen can be part of Gen C - it
encompasses all age groups in its aura.
Gen C is not targeted to a particular audience but it is here to
reach each one out there and bring about value addition.
Snobbishly :P, I claim I am a Gen C - and that my efforts are being
recognized - I belong to the online community - I contribute to the
community actively with my unbiased reviews - I am an emerging
consumer voicing out my opinion – I contribute to relevance and
originality.
Despite the Gen C boom, many deem it unnecessary. I would like to
point that I actively post out photos including reviews in various
social media platforms – not one but many come and ask me if I get
paid for my contribution. :P
But it is out my sheer interest that I contribute – proudly I conclude
by saying “This is what the GEN C does” :D :D
P.S It was because of the contribution of the Gen C – that I could
make myself aware about the term “GEN C” in the first place and give
my take on it!
As an engineer I always lived geek life, Engineer: a person who uses
acquired knowledge to improve lifestyle by solving problems in day to
day life.
A million dollar question, what innovative idea you have, that will
help society, world.
If you can answer this question then you are GenC. And I have
ideas that benefits society.
Simple day to day brainstorming on problems can find solution easily.
This is how I started looking for ideas in world. Looking for science
behind every single thing which I came across.
If C: Connected
Then Gen C is of connected people, via social network, meet-ups.
Generation of connected people who always streaming themselves on Social Media.
If C: Community
Gen C is community of people who thinks same. Discuss things,
ideas. Who argue for prove themselves. Express their opinions and
create platform for others to do this.
If C: Creative
Generation of people who thinks creatively. Look (Imagine)
things in different-way. They do thing in differently. Having
creativity.
C: Computer
On digital perspective, GenC is experiencing digital things.
Everyone is connected to mobiles, tablets, smartphones, computers, in
last to smart televisions (connected TVs)
….and so on.
If this describe generation C then, I’m GenC. But beyond this
I’m looking for GenX C (more than GenC).
If you ask me if it’s possible? I’ll say Yes, for Gen C bunch.
The LCD-Projector-wifi-tablet-smartphone life on the beach can be
worthwhile. This imagination can be real because of Gen C. A stressful
life meets recreation. Four-walled framework meets outspread. The
understanding, reasoning, prudence earn a direction. Innovation
inspires. The Gen C is gift to world make it real. While wi-fi keeps
everyone CONNECTED, the group being the COMMUNITY, the availability of
smartphone-tablet-laptop-powerbank helps CURATION and beach venue for
group meetings is CREATION. And that’s all Gen C owns. The mode of Gen
C is connected.
Will you be excited to join such group meeting next time?
