Print People vs. TV People Greater Problems Ahead for Business, Industry, Education, Military

If it seems that students are becoming more impervious to direction and correction;

If it seems that military recruits enjoy the glory of the uniform but lack the commitment and the character to abide by their loyalty oath; who see a dishonorable discharge as a way to quit, rather than a point of shame;

If it seems that inexperienced, often poorly-trained, employees arrive ‘knowing it all,’ wanting it all, and lacking the concept of ‘working one’s way up’ in a career; If it seems that younger workers consider their jobs low priority, impetuously quitting, or missing scheduled days, to seek personal satisfaction;

You might be interested in the following theory.

Twenty years ago I attended a stunning in-service, during which a speaker presented a plausible explanation for these cultural problems that are now unraveling the fabric of society. The speaker’s ideas were so impressive that they have served as words of warning, and have assisted me in better understanding, sometimes even in coping with, many of the unwelcome changes in America.

This gentleman theorized that the population of America could be divided into two groups: Print People and TV People. He defined ‘Print People’ as those who were born before 1957 and grew up gaining most of their information and knowledge from books and printed materials. ‘TV People’ were defined as those who were born after that point in time, and who grow up getting most of their knowledge from the television.

He assured us that one certainly could find Print People born after the cutoff date – people who had been born into very strong Print Families where the habits of turning to books, rather than to television, were cultivated. He was confident, however, that 1957 was the key division for his observations and studies.

He summarized his conclusions:

“Print People do what they are told to do, almost all the time.

TV People do what they are told to do, less than half the time.”

I thought that if this theory were indeed true, it might explain some of the chaos creeping into academic settings. In my mind I began sorting though children and adults I knew, evaluating them against that date in time, and those possible reactions to authority. As I saw one positive match after another, I pondered the eventual effect on the culture-at-large, in the years to come.

He asked if we were noticing more strife between people – in schools, jobs, businesses, stores, and social interactions. Most of us nodded in agreement. The speaker explained that we were moving into a time frame where Print People (who do what they are told to do almost all the time) were trying to supervise TV People (who only do as they are told less than half of the time.) I gave an audible gasp – of shock, horror, fear – as the picture of an increasingly chaotic, unruly, undisciplined, egotistical, hedonistic, future flashed through my mind.

The speaker next widened the window through which we could glimpse the future: “If you think that things are beginning to go badly now, consider this…as more and more Print People retire, they will be replaced by more and more TV People. We will eventually arrive at a point in time when the world will be run by TV People supervising TV People, and then…”

I hardly heard his projections, for the picture of – those who only do as they are told less than half the time, supervising more of those who only do as they are told less than half the time, was enough to finalize my fear and imprint that day, forever, in my memory.

That in-service was presented in the very early 80’s – maybe 1982. Consider how many Print People have retired in these last twenty years, to be replaced by TV People. Consider how many Print People teachers are currently retiring in droves, and consider all of those who are biding their time, awaiting the earliest dates for filing retirement papers.

If the schools; the industries; the businesses; the military – are having difficulties managing students and personnel now, while they still have older staff on duty who attempt to organize and control the increasing chaos, where will the culture and the economy go when most of the Print People are gone?

What if second and third generations of TV People prove to be progressively more unruly – maybe they ‘do as they are told less than one-third of the time;’ or even ‘less than one-fourth of the time?’ I feel sure that we are witnessing a continuing downward spiral in the quality and effectiveness of discipline and self-discipline, in all facets of life. Consider road rage, child abuse, spousal abuse, divorce rates, abortion, school misbehavior, academic decline, welfare rolls…the list is seemingly without end.

Once I taught under a young female assistant principal who proved this very theory. In the beginning, I would notice unacceptable behaviors in the halls, and march the offending children to this woman’s office. I soon learned that my perception of ‘inappropriate behavior’ was far different than the principal’s perception of behavior that called for discipline. Usually these visits ended with the student returning to class unscathed, reassured that the rules were not meant for them; the principal believing that I was some strange person with strange expectations – “I don’t see that they did anything so wrong…” and with me convinced that hall duty is a daily proving ground for this theory of differing reactions to authority – “Print People versus TV People.”

I hear more and more about the younger generations and their determination to do exactly as they wish, precisely when they want, in any manner they choose. Young people have told me that they quit their jobs because they were offended – the bosses were always trying to tell them what to do!

One day, in frustration, I stepped in front of a hall-roaming TV Person who was ignoring my questions, and I stated, “Notice! I am not a TV, and you do not have a remote control! You may not like my ‘channel’ but it is the one you get to watch at this moment!” I might have saved my energy. He missed the point, looked at me as though I had lost my mind, and passed around me to continue his out-of-class adventure.

It is not surprising that TV People have failed to develop courtesy or commitment; loyalty to duties and responsibilities. They have been raised with remote controls and game pads in their hands. These individuals – TV People with high self-esteem based on empty achievements – rather than being taught wisdom and common sense, have been given the means to control their world at will; on a whim; at the push of a button. They feel no compulsion to do anything a mere Print Person, or even another TV Person, tells them to do. Click. Double-click. Change the channel. Tune out. Turn up the volume. Put on the headphones.

TV People, even second and later generations of TV People, hold our destinies in their impetuous, often arrogant, self-centered hands. Consider the chaotic conditions developing in so many parts of the society. Next picture our country with all the Print People retired and all TV People at the controls. That point is quickly approaching, and with it a very frightening vision. If this theory is correct, it will impact our nation and culture in ways from which we may never recover.

Who will be there to lead with wisdom, knowledge and common sense? Who will direct academics back to the jewels of human history stored in the millions of volumes of printed matter? Who will teach children to read and so develop the mental training for using printed materials? Print People may be the only ones who understand that discipline, morals, and logical thought, are necessary in order for a sane and safe society to thrive, and to nurture its communities and individuals.

(**If anyone knows the gentleman who formulated this Print People/TV People theory, please contact me so that I can give proper recognition for the thought and study behind the concept.)

February 1, 2003