By P Mohan Chandran
Remember the good old days when hard work was the ethos of success and perseverance was a virtue? No? Well, then you, my friend, must be a proud member of Generation Z, the cohort born with a silver smartphone in their mouth and nurtured in the lap of technology. They're the ones who've swapped the three P's – patience, perseverance, and persistence – for the magical realm of 'I' - Instant.
Why labour over the stove, sweating profusely when instant coffee, fast food, and pre-packaged masala are mere swipes away? Why waste time kneading dough for roti, when instant chapatis and dosas pop out faster than you can say "microwave"? And let's not even begin with idlis – those fluffy, steaming dumplings of delight that now come in a no-mess, ready-to-eat avatar. Ah, the pleasures of 'instants'!
Hard work? Now, that’s a phrase that has taken a back seat, replaced by the chic buzzword 'smart work', a sophisticated euphemism for ‘I want my results, and I want them now!’ Never mind that the fruit of instant success often tastes as bland as that cup of instant coffee, lacking the depth and richness of a brew that's been patiently simmered.
Remember when physical exertion was an integral part of our lives? Well, not for our Gen Z darlings. Escalators and elevators have rendered stairs obsolete, dishwashers are liberating them from the tyranny of dirty dishes, and refrigerators are their personal butlers, storing snacks for their midnight raids.
Bored? There's always the comforting glow of OTT platforms like Disney, Hotstar, Netflix, AHA, Zee5, Amazon Prime etc., promising an endless buffet of entertainment. No need for the time-consuming joy of reading a book or the pleasurable anticipation of waiting for a new movie release in the cinema.
Food? There’s an app for that. Need a ride? There’s an app for that too. Gen Zers are masters of the app-iverse, summoning meals and taxis with a nonchalant flick of their thumbs.
And let's not forget AI, the digital genie catering to Gen Z's every whim. AI-powered voice assistants are now their diligent secretaries, shopping advisors, and sometimes, their best friends. Who needs the hustle when you can just command, "Alexa, make it happen"?
But, here's a thought for you to chew on, dear reader – while convenience is the new mantra, are we heading towards an era where 'effort' becomes an ancient relic, displayed in the museum of human evolution, right next to the rotary dial telephone and the manual typewriter?
Are our young wizards of immediacy missing out on the profound satisfaction of the journey, the lessons of the struggle, the wisdom that comes with experience, or the thrill of anticipation?
Have we outsourced too much of our lives to technology, only to forget the joy of personal accomplishment, the charm of waiting, and the virtue of effort?
Does the realm of 'instant' taste as good without a sprinkle of patience, a dash of hard work, and a pinch of perseverance? Well, I guess that’s something for our Generation Z to ponder, as they sip their instant coffee, nibble on instant food, and scroll through their lives on their smartphone screens.
Do you agree that Gen-Z people have less patience & expect instant results?
Yes, they have less patience and want everything instantly.
No, they are always misunderstood by Gen X & Gen Y people.
© 2023. P Mohan Chandran. All Rights Reserved.
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