Pop Culture

Fro something that so much of the time seems trivial, pop culture is hard. In fact, I would even equate it with exercising. The older one gets the more difficult it is to go the gym and walk on the treadmill, lift weights or do anything helps get your heart faster than normal. By the same token, there seems to be a direct correlation between aging and loss of interest in the latest fads, hit songs, reality stars or fashions. Though in many ways I am speaking for myself, I have more than a sneaky suspicion a number of fellow baby boomers are experiencing similar feelings. In fact, I suspect throughout time those belonging to older generations had trouble relating to what younger ones were finding "hot."

Such, I suppose, is a common cycle of life. But what about those members of the so-called older generation whose job it is to remain instep or up-to-date with the popular culture of the day? How difficult is it for professional communicators, for instance, who may be over a certain age and, as a result, have tastes and preferences that fall more under the umbrella of what they grew up with rather than what is of burning interest to their children or, more to the point, younger professionals? How well can a 60-year-old public relations professional compete with a colleague who is half their age and more in-tune with the culture of the today? Additionally, even though they have may have more experience, how well are they able to navigate the latest technological innovations?

In many ways, it seems to me public relations is a young person's game. This is not to say those of us who are older do not have anything left to contribute. Of course we do. Experience, perspective and  context are nothing to sneeze at. But, then, neither are the kind of energy, technical skills and ambition that one often finds in younger workers. Fortunately, we live in a society where businesses remain open to combining the strengths of professionals from older and younger generations. While both have their own unique challenges, hopefully neither will forget that combining the strengths of each remains the best way to go.