The document is a letter written from the perspective of millennials and centennials addressing common stereotypes and criticisms levied against them. It asks older generations to stop generalizing youth, understand that social media allows for different types of real communication, and to see digital natives as an opportunity rather than a challenge. The letter promotes partnering across generations to move forward together in a changing world.

1. We’re [not] the Kids in Dystopia
by Brian Solis

2. dystopia |disˈtōpēə|
noun
an imagined place or state in which
everything is unpleasant or bad, typically a
totalitarian or environmentally degraded one.
@briansolis

3. If it’s one thing I’ve learned in all
of my work, it’s this…when we
see something new or different,
we tend to do so based on our
conventions and beliefs. As such,
our perceptions and opinions
ignore, miss, or undervalue the
relevance or importance of
what’s new or different if it
contradicts or challenges our
beliefs.
This is especially true when we
look at how people are changing.
@briansolis

4. “Stop grouping us by age.”
@briansolisImage Credit: Regan @theindiealto
“Millennials…they’re ruining everything.
They’re killing the ‘American Dream.’
They’re killing brands. They’re killing
customs. They don’t work they way we
work. They want to color outside the lines!
Let’s hire Millennial experts to explain to
older people how to talk to understand and
manage younger people!”

5. I’ve spent years studying our youth, their relationship with
technology and their behaviors that evolved as a result.
This short story was inspired by the lack of empathy they
face from parents, teachers, managers, media, et al. who
expect them to conform to their beliefs, traditions and
routines. We practically demand them to follow the same
rules…the same path as the generations before them. But,
why? Because that’s the way it always was? Because that’s
what you did?
We live in times of great disruption. The only way to survive
and thrive is through great innovation.
The future is built upon innovation and creativity, not
conformity. Our youth and their differences is what we should
understand and celebrate. After all, the young and the young
at heart can open new doors.
My intention for creating this was to promote empathy, shift
perspective, and inspire collaboration on all fronts.
Someone has to take the first step…
DON’T JUDGE
ME BY MY
IDEAS OR
CHOICES IF
YOU DON’T
UNDERSTAND
ME OR MY
BELIEFS OR
PASSIONS.

6. When it comes to bridging the gap,
true innovation lies in all the work you
do to exceed the expectations and
aspirations of people as they evolve
instead of making them conform to
your legacy perspectives,
assumptions, processes and metrics
of success.
@briansolis

7. The following narrative is told in the voice of our youth…
@briansolis

8. To Whom It May Concern,
Please don’t judge or look down upon us. We are different. We are not you. The truth is that we
can only be us. It’s all we know. But, that’s what’s so special. We represent new possibilities.
We didn’t ask to be born in a digital economy, yet here we are. We’re trying to exist and thrive in a
time that’s still wresting between analog and digital mindsets and behaviors. If you don’t pave a
way forward, we will.
We are human. We are not a group of stereotypes or demographics. All “Millennials” and
“Centennials” are not the same. Just like all matures, boomers or Gen X’ers are not the same.
We’re diverse. We’re individuals. We all are…
If you keep blaming the idea of us for the challenges you face or the things you don’t understand,
we will never grow closer. Whether at home, in the workplace, at school, or anywhere else, we,
like you, are a product of the times and trends. We’re trying to learn, grow and succeed in a
paradigm that was designed for the generations before us. As digital-first natives, we’re trying to
adapt in a world that still largely operates in an analog-first archetype.
We all face challenges. But we’re not going to get anywhere by pointing fingers, taking sides and
digging in. We need guidance. We need mentorship. We need leadership. In the absence of it,
you leave us to figure it out on our own. But make no mistake, we’re going to pave our own way.
We’re not going to conform. And, you really don’t want us to.
True leaders don’t create followers or disciples, they empower other leaders. They create
communities who collaborate, to solve differences and build new bridges toward a brighter future.
Let’s start here.
@briansolis

9. Every generation has an opinion about the generation before and the up-and-coming generation
after it. It’s a virtuous circle of “old people” judging “young people,” but the world still evolves.
Yes, these are generalizations as well. But, it all sounds so familiar doesn’t it?
Matures came up in a time
of war and post war change
in a pre-feminism, marriage-
and career-for-life era where
suburbs, automobiles,
radio/early TV, and big band
music helped shape the
genre. They were called
conformists, old-timers and
stubborn.
Boomers embraced rock-n-
roll challenging the status
quo. They were called self-
centered and self-righteous.
But TV, music, “free love,”
and activism gave way to
two-income families, divorce,
early equality, career shifts.
Technology had to be
learned. They are generally
skeptical about new tech.
And, they believe it’s “just too
much” with some believing
society will regress.
Gen-X were street smart,
“latch-key kids” who had
working, career-driven
parents who often grew up in
divorce-led two household
environments. They were
caught between the
traditional analog world and
the digital era. They were
called selfish, unfocused,
uncommitted, shallow, and
suspicious. They are early
adopters of tech and more
willing to pick up new trends
than their predecessors.
@briansolis

10. @briansolis
LAZY
ENTITLED
IMPATIENT
NEEDY
DISRESPECTFUL
NARCISSISTIC
IRRESPONSIBLE
Here’s how you stereotype us…
“SPECIAL”
NURTURED
TROPHY GENERATION

11. Pretend for a moment, that someone else was asking you this question. Do
you really know me? It’s easy, sometimes too easy, to think of yourselves in
every situation. You might naturally see this and wonder why others don’t
take the time to really get to know you. But, this is one of those moments
where you need to take a step back and ask questions about yourself to
see and learn new ways to engage with different people...differently.@briansolis

12. @briansolis
To move forward, there are several things
we’d like to explain…

13. Please, just stop generalizing
us. Seriously. What if we simply
referred to you as “old people”
and your ways as “old-
fashioned.” We, like you, are
human beings and are held
back by your stereotypes. We
are all different. We have
unique values and beliefs. We
have different goals and
aspirations. Nurture us. Direct
us. Also, learn from us.
@briansolis
Drawing by Ann Truong

14. Please stop telling us we’re not in the
moment. We are always in the moment.
We experience and share experiences
at the same time. It’s how we stay
connected. It’s how we feel alive.@briansolis

15. Please, stop saying that we’re not actually communicating. We talk to ALL of
our friends. We share what’s happening right now. We see what’s happening
with our friends as they happen. It’s the only way we know. We’re
communicating in more ways with more people than you can imagine and
appreciate. It doesn’t make what we do wrong. We see it as real life.
@briansolis

16. Please stop telling us that our friends
online are not real friends. Our networks
are full of close and casual ties. We
understand the differences and our
intentional about what we share, where
and with home.
In fact, we share different slices of who we
are with different groups of people in
different networks. And, we have
audiences now who have audiences of
their own. We are media. We are
influential. Yet, we still keep important
people close while still talking to everyone.
Think about that for a minute…
@briansolis
The Human Network

17. Please stop telling us to “look up” or
we’ll miss everything happening
around us. Every generation is faced
with distractions. It’s how we manage
though them that defines who we are
and what we do.
To be fair, we’re all learning how to
be distracted through technology. It’s
not an age thing. For better or worse,
it’s now a lifestyle.
We could all benefit from learning
how to better manage our personal
relationships with tech. We would
only become more focused,
productive and creative as a result.
@briansolis

18. Please stop telling us that we
can’t multi-task. We do multi-task.
It’s just a matter of life. Our brains
work differently. Help us improve
how we focus and work. In reality,
we aren’t alone here. While we
grew up this way, you’re
reprogramming your brain to
multi-task the more you use
social media, mobile devices,
apps and real-time technology as
well. Maybe we are more similar
than you may realize.
@briansolis

19. Please stop saying that we are the
biggest challenge to the
workforce. We represent your
biggest opportunity to compete in
a digital economy. So what if we
want to learn new things, gain
exposure to new experiences,
forgo meetings, swap email for
messaging apps, engage with
management for reverse
mentoring. At least we’re trying
new things. We simply care about
things that many organizations
forgot. Celebrate that we’re willing
to contribute…at least for now!
@briansolis

20. And finally, please stop referring to
us as a stereotype. We’re not all the
same. That’s like us referring to you
as “old people.”
We’re not solely defined by the years
we were born. Instead characterize
us by our interests, aspirations,
capabilities and our environments.
Work with us. Find our strengths.
Help us with our weaknesses.
Let’s learn and achieve great things
together. There’s a lot to fix.
@briansolis

21. Our behaviors are what they are. But if you
really want to have an impact, please take
the time to get to know us. Partner with us.
Guide us. Then, and only then, can we
move forward and do great things together.
@briansolis

22. We’re not the last to challenge
convention, norms or values. There’s
more change on the horizon. There
always is. It’s how you react and adapt
that defines you and our future.
- Millennials and Centennials everywhere
@briansolis

23. To truly grow and prosper,
we need one another.
@briansolis

24. Brian Solis
Brian Solis is a one of the world’s leading
digital anthropologists and futurists who has
been called "one of the greatest digital
analysts of our time.” Brian is also a world
renowned keynote speaker and an award-
winning author of seven best-selling books.
With a loyal online audience of over 700,000
people online, his work makes him a sought-
after thought-leader to leading brands,
celebrities such as Oprah, Shaq and Ashton
Kutcher and over 1,000 startups.
brian@briansolis.com
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