The Always Off Generation

"The Internet of Things" is a cute expression I've been hearing a lot, in tandem with the idea of our evolution to an "Always On Generation".
But let's not forget the previous generations that make up the significant portion of our population. Each generation is in its own phase of transition – or not – to an increasingly info-techn-dominated lifestyle. They've been dubbed Digital Immigrants and I've found within them a sub-group I'm calling the Always Off Generation.

The Always On Generation will find this hard to imagine, but there are some people who treat the interwebs and digital communications like just any other household appliance. On the rare occasion they decide to use their computer, they'll need to first turn it on, and wait for it to boot. If they need to print, they'll take the pile of books and newspapers off the printer, turn it on, open up all the collapsible feed trays, and load it with paper (if they can find any). The computer, printer, scanner etc will be located in a remote part of the home, far from the main living areas. When people try to call the Always Offs (AOs) on their mobiles, they won't get an answer because, by default, the mobile will be switched off. Quite likely they're out and have left the mobile at home. The mobile will only switched it back on when it's absolutely necessary to make a call. Just like the radio and television, AOs turn things on when they want to sit down and use them, then turn them completely off again when they're finished.

As a guest in the home of an AO It was a little frustrating for me, who - like the rest of the digital generation - relies on connectivity, uses the computer etc frequently and is used to finding it always on and ready to serve my requests instantly. Isn't that why sleep mode was invented? Info tech usage by the AOs is targetted, appointment-style, one-way entertainment and info - just like sitting down to watch a scheduled TV show. Digital natives - who can barely come to terms with the concept of a broadcaster deciding what they watch and when - treat their comms devices like refrigerators; they can open them up and randomly snack on anything at anytime. No waiting.

When I mentioned this on/off thing to my AO host (while, incidentally, she was clearing stuff off the top of the printer and turning it on and opening up the top and bottom feed trays and loading it with paper) she explained, quite logically, that she doesn't use the computer very often. Days and weeks could pass, so why leave it on during that time. Fair enough. Why waste energy? Why have something on if you know you're not likely to use it?

I struggled a little more with the logic of the mobile phone offness. But then as Bjork said, "There's definitely no logic to human behaviour. The mobile's precursor is the land-line and I know that no-one from any generation unplugs the telephone from the wall socket – except perhaps for dramatic effect, or in pretty dire circumstances. (i admit I had to do it once) – and no-one's ever manufactured one with an on/off switch. Judging by the way the AO's use their mobiles, I can only guess, that if ye olde telephone DID have a big red On/Off switch, the AO's would be using it with impunity. Thankfully, someone invented the answering machine instead.

The always on generation will also find it hard to fathom that with such apparent limited access to modern comms, my example AO managed to live a rich and full social life. She meets her friends, in person, for lunches, coffee, dinner, theatre dates. Her social network positively thrives in her analogue world. The AOs have their own system, and their system still works.

As for my refrigerator analogy, well I raised that with my AO and she just laughed. Of course she'd never turn off the 'fridge. She doesn't want her food to rot!