The Interview: The Next Great Generation

Interview

For the first edition of The Next Great Generation, NGG figured it would interview itself, ask some questions, and offer some answers.

Q:  Congratulations on the launch of TNGG.
A:  Congratulations are a little premature, but thanks.
Q:  Can you tell us what you’re trying to do?
A:  Sure.  The idea is simple.  Give Millennial Generation writers between the ages of 18 and 25 a chance to express ourselves, get published, build followers, and collectively be the voice of our generation rather than leave it up to researchers, marketers and TV screenwriters to define us.  Ideally, the content we offer up might give brands, politicians, academics and others an insight into who we are and what we think.
Q:  Why 18—25?  Isn’t this generation anyone born between 1978 and 2000?
A:   We figured this is the group that would benefit from having the stage and the spotlight.  We’re old enough to have opinions and something to say, but young enough that we have yet to establish ourselves.
Q:  Where are you finding your writers?
A:  Right how we’re inviting anyone to join us who can write and has something say.  We have a few too many Northeast, college-educated white writers on our roster, but that will change.  Once we get this thing up, generate some buzz and word of mouth, we’re hoping for a lot more content.
Q:  Are you paying for content?
A:  Compensation will come in the form of fame and glory.  We hope.
Q:  Why will an older generation of marketers, brands, employers or others want to read TNGG.
A:  They might learn something.  Why we respond to brands, how we make decisions, the ways in which we embrace and use technology, our views on everything from the economic meltdown to Adderall.  We won’t spell out answers or a formula on how to engage with us, but if you read the diverse opinions we hope to offer there may be something worth knowing.
Q:  Do you think this will narrow the gaps between generations?
A:  Those gaps aren’t as wide as they used to be, but everything about our society separates us.  Where we live, our position in the workplace.  Digital experiences can close that gap.
Q:  Can you make money with this?
A:  Well Chris Anderson says you have to give stuff away for free.  But we have some long-term ideas.  We’ll see.
Q:  T-shirts?
A:  And hats.  But we’re thinking bigger than that.
Q:  Maybe the next TED conference?
A:  Not quite that big.  We’ll have to prove ourselves first.

Photo Credit: larskflem