The discussion is generally concerned with how the new generation, specifically between the ages of 18 to 24, in the United States became more open minded about different issues in life. Internet and technology in general lead to change the lifestyle of the new generation into a different one. They are more strongly attached to each other when it comes to friendships and relationships because of technology, which made it easy for everyone to be in touch with each other through cell phones, social networking sites, email, and instant messaging. It is the same when it comes to political ideas where we find out that they are aware of everything that goes around the world just by sharing what they know with each other or looking it up on the internet.
I would claim that the similarity between the new generation in the United States and the new generations in Iraq is bigger than the difference. The internet and technology has become a major part of the Iraqi youth, which seems to be promising to make everyone more aware of what is going on out there rather than being isolated. Text messaging, social networking, instant messaging and many other new technologies are becoming very common and basic among the young Iraqi people.
Some differences one would point out is that how each of them is concerned with politics. It is mentioned in the podcast that the American youth are politically active and more concerned with economic issues in the political atmosphere of their country. On the other hand, the young people in Iraq are more concerned with political issues that relate to solving the countries problems.
Another thing one would point out as a difference is the issues of race, discrimination, and the ways they think about the diversity of ethnicities. The civil war has become a part of history for them now. Problems relating to diversity of races and things like that still exist in the Iraqi generations like problems between Kurds and Arabs or Yazidies and so on.
The products and services that are targeted to this demographic are most likely the technological products and the new technology related services like iChat as it is mentioned in the Generation Next podcast. Furthermore, today’s suppliers in the world, regardless of the country, tend to target the young people.
