Hubby and I can well recall life before microwave ovens or VCRs, much less computers, cell phones, wi-fi, etc.  But I think the very fact that we have been exposed to so much technological change will stand us in good stead as more changes come along in the future.  Our first reaction to new technology - especially in communications or computing - is usually, "Cool!" rather than, "Oh, no!"

The USE of the technology is another matter.  We have no inclination to join Twitter or Facebook and provide all of our friends with a minute-by-minute update of all of our most mundane activities; we do not text or chatter constantly on the cell phone.  Quality, not quantity.  And the regular oven still makes a far superior pizza, or baked potato, than the microwave does.  Priorities…

I think more so than just technology is the pace of learning of the children now. Kindergarten is now all day, in addition to their regular class they have music, art, computer, Spanish and gym. My mother’s high school education is now the equivalent to a 6th grade education. My grandson will have two years of college credits before he graduates high school through being in the AVID program. The capacity to learn has either increased or the stimulus has increased. Technology is part of the curve, but education in standards and what is available at a younger age creates the difference.

Sorry to disappoint,  pop culture, on the whole does not interest me, but often it resonates with history, for I grew up in the Depression, and I see many cycles and repetitions in events, styles, issues, and cultural developments.

As for that generation gap, my son, who is a trained classical pianist, made his profession composing and performing in pop music, such as Rock and Roll. He composed, played and recorded with many prominent musicians, and of course, his strength was literacy in music, because many pop stars cannot write or arrange music. Though I encouraged him and had no qualms about having a long haired rock star in the family, and was very proud of him, I had no interest in his music and still don’t. I stick to listening to Mahler. It was not contentious in our home, because it was taken for granted that all 4 of us had our own interests: father,mathematics; daughter writing & drawing; son,music & anything mechanical and electronic, and mother, literature & art. 

Somehow, differences in interests, attitudes, behavior, even in choice of food, location (suburbs for my children & metropolis for me) pose no problems. 

The word "divide" suggests painful or awkward differences; I don’t think so. Consensus, for me, is the danger. Our children do not have to share what we like and admire, because they live in a different world, as we did with our parents.  

Of course, I use a computer, and I was 14 when my parents finally acceded to my wanting a telephone in our home, so I’ve spanned an amazing  time, as my parents had.  I anticipate my children and now their children are more at ease with newer developments in technology than I am, but I never say no to anything new. I am selective.

 As for Facebook, I’m on it because a former student now living in Afghanistan contacted me. And  because my last name is unusual,  I receive greetings from those who used to address me formally when I was their teacher. Now they are old enough to call me by my first name. But, I differ in how I use Facebook; it does not represent a gathering of friends, it is a brief contact. And, so it goes, as the world moves on.

I take for granted that we are different  like flowers in a bouquet.  Personal choice, for me, is more significant than conformity.And, who says our children are our clones?

I recently had lunch with a friend who works in the energy sector.  Ten-fifteen years ago, she and her co workers often met to discuss projects, make evaluations and projections, etc.  She often flew to company sites and offshore to talk to workers there.

Now she works through her computer and in a small office.  No more meetings.  No more flights to location.  That is monitored through technology.

While technology marches on, many jobs no longer exist .  Why hire ten workers when one can suffice.  We even see this in grocery stores where there are now self check out lanes.  To balance out, there is China, building a huge wind farm in Texas that will require several thousand workers. New jobs; new technology to drive it.  As long as anyone remains in the work force, it would be wise to learn as many new green programs as possible.

Who knows how far we will go with this technology? I never thought I would buy a computer let alone sit almost on top of it for hours every day.

Right now it brings me closer to my family, what they don’t email I find in Facebook.

12 years ago I started with a Web TV never believing that this would bring me more knowledge, more friends, more  recipes for life and cooking. What will be for me in the next 12 years-if I live that long- is something I look forward to.

I am honest.  I find phrases such as "the great divide" between generations so negative.  . and defeating.  The world turns.  It has always turned.  Can we keep up with it all?  Probably not.  But let’s openly acknowledge that change happens — and frankly, with all the complaints, there is a lot of change that is helpful to us and for the good. 

A favorite book is Spenser Johnson’s Who Moved My Cheese.  . and over the years it has become a gift to many.  The concept is so simple, so easy: Don’t be the one that sits around expecting things to never change and then refuse to adapt to the change when it happens. Go out, look for, and get a hold of your cheese again.

To relate this to generations, to families, I would say that we should always respect the differences between our children and ourselves.  They are not us.  They are leading their own lives in a much more complicated world.  Yes, one hand and one ear seems to be holding the newest and latest plastic gadget . . but this is change.  They are keeping up with the times.

So we as "the generation before" can bridge that chasm, bridge that gap by not necessarily learning every new thing (I think we would be out of our heads if we tried frankly).  But if we — the parents, the grandparents can be open and interested in the changes taking place, we may find that our children will not sense that the chasm is not too wide, too deep to jump.  Their enthusiasm for life, for the new, I find can be contagious.  We find if we listen, they will come.  And - and this is the most important part - when they come, our generation can despense the love and caring that is needed by each of us so badly these days.  And have it reciprocated. 

Bridge the chasm, be interested and you will be interesting.  But - and I think I am right — what we do see lacking more and more is that LOVE, that CARING that comes with leading such separate lives.  We know that as a fact.  I know in my heart that we can elicit our own "changes" by radiating a warmth, a love, a pride of their individuality - that sometimes missing element that will hopefully bring the so-called chasm down to a small puddle.  Then - instead of the dreadful word "division" - we have replaced it with respect and with love.

It’s worth a try!