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Kieran Preissler
Chapel Hill, NC
United States

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The Culture of Want; the Now generation

It is becoming more and more clear that my generation, the generation that is starting to graduate from high school and enter this world, has become a generation based on instant gratification. Although that is nice, I think that it devalues many, otherwise very valuable, products and experiences. My friend has an iPhone but just as soon as the newest version of the phone was released, he was quick to toss aside the magical machine that he had once been in awe of. Like my friend, many people don't have enough time to discover the endless array of innovative apps that are available for download.

Topics: cultural values future generation technology want

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Arnab Dutta
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Jan 27 2012: As i think today we have civilization like this because from 3000 BC all the now generation had a culture of want. As the time has changed present now generation wants something else than previous . But same is true for previous. Who dont have food he want food .. Who have food wants liquor.. who have liquor wants Jack Daniels :). Its normal .
- Simone Lackerbauer 100+
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  Host TED Translator Associate
  
  Feb 1 2012: I sort of agree that the innate want for (instant) gratification is "normal", as in "human". However, the accelerating speed of technological innovation has somehow exponentiated the possibilities of being rewarded and thus heightened our demands. Whether it must be a certain brand of x, or a distinct benefit of y (or the impression of a benefit... as in different versions of iPhones): we seek more, because we know that more is possible.
  
  I also wonder if this is related to the gamification of our lives. We do something, we want an instant reward. Checking in on foursquare, posting on Facebook, leveling up in an online game -- it all seems to build on conditioning humans for seeking positive responses to their every action.
  - Arnab Dutta
    
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    Feb 1 2012: I agree with your points . And i really support your point "So it's not the iPhone's fault that our generation wants better, faster, high-and-higher-tech tools." and "we seek more, because we know that more is possible."
    But as a gadget and laptop market resercher i have seen a patern for the love of technology .
    
    US and Europe is Iphone crazy . They go for hype & brand rather than technology.
    South america is very specific about what they . And they dont have a very high population to set world wide patern.
    Aisia shows two kinds of patern . One middle east who wants to follow the US & europe as they have got lots of money from oil and tourism and they have only two class rich and poor . Rich can afford evry thing poor cant afford any thing.
    China and south east asia looks value for money .
    From these patern we can find out one more thing its the excess money that makes people crazy about stuff they dont need.
    For a college going student latest IPHONE is more than a status simbol than needs. Its true all over the world.
    
    If u see last qutr result , no of laptop shipping has been decreased due to financial crisis. But Pad/ tablet sell has been doubled.
    
    So its the excess money and ability to spend is taking place.
    
    Now there is one more point . every generation have its own iphone . In 70's automobile was the key like todays gadget . Every one wants to have that .Today also evry body wants but its no more a luxury its a need.
    
    According to Noriaki Kano todays luxury will become tomorows nessecity and a new luxury will take that place. Todays youths luxury is gadgets. .
  - Arnab Dutta
    
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    Feb 1 2012: As you said ". I grew up in a rather small city (20k inhabitants) in the south of Germany where farming still had (and has) a great importance........., so I experienced the differences between "makers" and "consumerist city-people"
    I am also 26 but i am not lucky enogh to enjoy the country life but i dont think city people and relly consumerist . I know small cities producess stuffs for big cities. But that doesnt mean the peoples are also same. Just the kind of work they do is different. But both do for livelhood.
    
    As I grew up in one of the worlds most higly populated city and lived at the silicon vally of east , One thing I have understood. Its very hard for a city people to know each other than country side. Life is complex too competative and always demanding in metro cities.Its not that we are unsocial.And also not that we alwasy want .
    - Simone Lackerbauer 100+
      
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      Host TED Translator Associate
      
      Feb 1 2012: I think it's somewhat arguable that you point out that not all the city people are the same, when at the same time you tell me that "US and Europe is Iphone crazy . They go for hype & brand rather than technology." etc. -- you really can't make this general assumption for all Europeans and US citizens either. I am not really happy with the way you argue, but we just have two different point of views on the issue... and I think we are both curious to see what's next in tech!
  - Arnab Dutta
    
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    Feb 1 2012: I am sorry for that kind of approach. But i am just trying to find a pattern. I didn’t mean to hurt any of US or European citizen. But you can’t ignore the fact than they have more financial ability than eastern people.
    As Intel is pushing really hard to make Ultra book a hit product and Dell HP Lenovo Nokia are releasing at least 30 new products over next two years in tablet and ultra-book genre. I think for the next 3-4 yrs. ultra book and tablet is going to rule the market. Maybe surface technology and gesture recognizing tech can take over after that.
    - Erin Tuncan
      
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      Feb 6 2012: Heres a name that doesn't fit with the more finanical ability of the west than east. Saudi Arabia. Or Japan. Also making any generalization like yours has its faults because there will always be exceptions, I believe this is more the point than making it about the east, basicly it is faulty, therefore making your argument or part based on that assumption makes your conclusion and argument questionable.

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