The Evolution of Identity over Generations with Dr Eliza Filby and Dr Ian Pearson #4
Mar 23, 2022
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Dr Eliza Filby, historian, and Dr Ian Pearson, futurist, discuss the influence of generational changes on identity. They explore topics such as AI's role in representing personalities, individuality in the future workplace, and the potential end of class as an identity marker.
Generational intelligence helps understand how different generations are shaped by their experiences.
AI and technology have the potential to shape and dilute individual identity.
Future generations need to address social and economic inequalities and prioritize human skills in the workplace.
Deep dives
Generational intelligence and the future of work
Generational intelligence is a useful way to understand how different generations are shaped by the times they live in, such as economic, societal, and cultural forces. It helps analyze how each generation, from baby boomers to Gen Z, has been influenced by specific experiences and factors. The future of work is expected to be characterized by increasing agility and flexibility, with individuals having multiple careers and working for different employers throughout their lives. The key skills for future success are likely to be related to personality, empathy, emotional intelligence, and care, as technology takes over more administrative and physical tasks. However, there is a concern about inequality and the need for investment in reskilling and education to ensure no one is left behind.
The role of AI and technology in shaping identity
AI and technology have a significant impact on shaping identity. As technology advances, AI has the potential to influence and moderate individual behavior, creating virtual agents that can represent and argue on behalf of individuals in online spaces. However, as AI becomes more prevalent and can assimilate the views of the global population, it could also lead to a dilution of individual identity as the majority opinion is taken into account. The use of AI and technology platforms can also create echo chambers and siloed environments, reinforcing existing beliefs, but future technologies may offer opportunities for a more global perspective and deeper connection by accessing different viewpoints and communities worldwide.
The challenges of class, conformity, and tribalism in the future
Class distinctions continue to exist and have an impact on society, even as we see shifts in identity dynamics. There is a growing dissatisfaction among the younger generations with social and economic inequalities, as well as a rejection of traditional corporate culture. The rise of activism and individual expression is influenced by a desire for authenticity and being heard, facilitated by technology and the ability to connect with like-minded individuals. However, there is also a concern about conformity and self-censorship driven by the fear of backlash or cancel culture. Future generations may need to tackle these challenges by rethinking education, promoting personality-driven careers, and finding new economic models that prioritize the social good over short-term profits.
Living in your body and the importance of identity
As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, it is crucial to maintain a connection with our physical bodies and recognize the importance of living in the present moment. The increasing virtual and disconnected nature of online interactions can lead to a lack of embodied experiences and a focus solely on the mind. Cultivating an awareness of our bodies and taking care of them can be vital for mental well-being. Additionally, integrating personality, caring skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence into our identities will become more valuable as technology takes over more routine and technical tasks, emphasizing the importance of basic human skills in the future.
Preserving and evolving identity for future generations
Preserving and enabling identity for future generations requires a multifaceted approach. It involves recognizing and addressing social and economic inequalities, investing in education and reskilling, promoting individuality and authenticity, embracing agility and flexibility in work, and ensuring access to diverse viewpoints and global connections. It may also involve advocating for privacy and security in the digital landscape, as well as finding ways to create economic structures that prioritize social well-being. Ultimately, fostering a sense of purpose, agency, and self-expression will be crucial for future generations to navigate and shape their own identities in an ever-changing world.
With a look into the past and a long view of the future, we can better understand, and maintain, our sense of identity in a shifting world.
On this episode of The Future of You, we’ve brought together two sides of a generational coin - a historian and a futurist - to unpack how our relationship with identity is shaped by our generation. Are our notions of identity influencing demographic and societal changes, or might it be the other way around?
Dr Eliza Filby and Dr Ian Pearson dive into the dichotomy between individualism and conformity, future generations’ wildly varied path through the world of work, the role of AI in representing ourselves to others, and whether class will recede or increase as an identity marker in the future.
This episode of The Future of You covers:
Shifting patterns in identity, and whether they influence societal changes or vice versa
The possible future role of AI in faithfully representing our personalities
Individuality in the future workplace, and whether workers can shape a corporation’s moral compass
The potential for class to cease being a marker of identity