Techno-Social Generations and Communication Research

The more interesting problems we discuss in this paper have to do with how communications scholars actually, empirically demonstrate the existence of social generations (techno- or otherwise)—as opposed to the mere generational stereotypes with which we are so familiar—and how the study of techno-social generations might cause us to rethink generational theory and its assumptions. We begin by explaining Mannheim’s theory of generations, focusing particularly on three features that make it rich and lively for theoreticians, but obtuse and problematic for empirical analysts. Then, we show how successful analysis of techno-social generations requires the triangulation of three types of empirical analyses that emerge from three epistemological perspectives. Finally, we argue that future research on techno-social generations must pay particular attention to networks and practices as markers of generational distinction, to critical disjunctures as moments of dynamic destabilization, and to the interplay between endogenous and exogenous forces in the creation of social generational change.