Abstract
The sense of feeling for Generation Z who currently make up both the youth (13-17) and young adult population (18-30) has been described by cultural theorist as metamodernism. Regardless of ethnic background or geographical location, according to Barna’s Connected Generation Research youth and young adults across the globe tend to share more similarities with each other than with people from their own indigenous ethnic cultures. One of those similarities is a shared generational sense of feeling (world view). This paper explores the philosophical underpinnings of metamodernism. However, it do so not as an end, but rather to understand the challenges and the opportunities inherent in connecting with the unique digital culture of Gen Z. Gen Z lives in a culture that “talks in story.” They breathe, move and have their being in a world where “social media has replaced print media as the dominant communication choice.” They exist in a culture that values participation over listening. They reside in a culture that has broken away from the left-brain takeover of modernity and is rediscovering the right brain. They belong to a culture that no longer thinks in a primarily linear manner but in stories and images, which captivates them much more then dogmatics. Effective digital culture for metamoderns must concentrate on stories and images as conveyers of truth
Presenters
Kenley HallProfessor of Homiletics, Youth and Young Adult Ministry and Intercultural Mission and Ministry, Practical and Applied Theology, SDA Theological Seminary- Andrews University, Michigan, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Metamoderns, Generation Z, Digital Culture, Right Brained, Stories and Images
