We are in the era of Generation Z warfare: The war against the machines!!!!!
Generation Z is the demographic born since 1996. They are the generation raised with a hand held phone device affixed to their appendages. Every generation since World War 2 has had an electronic idol vying for control of their youthful brains.
The truth is, we can't fault the kids for replacing physical activity with electronic entertainment.
Without leadership, the war against the machines will be lost -if it is not lost already. It seems as though the prophesies of the Book of Revelation may be coming to fruition with electronic devices being the right hand of the Anti-Christ!
What type of leadership.would it take to turn the tide against the ruthless onslaught of the techno intruders??
The war against the machines for the physical health, and for the souls, of Generation Z continues. We have not lost - yet! L.O.L.
(If you enjoyed this blog press like, share on Facebook, and send it out to all of your friends using your electronic devices. If you can't beat the machines, - join 'em.)
Little Bobby Strong
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Generation Z is the demographic born since 1996. They are the generation raised with a hand held phone device affixed to their appendages. Every generation since World War 2 has had an electronic idol vying for control of their youthful brains.
- Baby Boomers, those born 1946 to 1964, used to watch the television station signal on Saturday mornings waiting for cartoons to start. The T.V. was often sarcastically referred to as 'the Idiot Box'! Fortunately there were many dead time zones with only the news or serious programming so kids still had to go out and play to prevent boredom.
- Generation X kids, born 1965 to 1976, still had 'the Idiot Box' but with more than 2 channels thanks to cable television and satellite T.V. There were almost no more dead zones for youthful interest.
- Millennials, 1977 to 1995, had video machines which attached to the idiot box. This lead to greater idiocy with video games such as PacMan, Nintendo or PlayStation.. Personal Computers and later the rise of the laptop further conspired to keep the youth away from the playgrounds and the sports fields.
- Generation Z, 1996 and on, now have access to electronic gadgetry such as iphone, Samsung Galaxy, iPad, Android and Huawai. There is is no need to interact verbally or seek physical exertion to pass the time.
The truth is, we can't fault the kids for replacing physical activity with electronic entertainment.
- Parents should set rules and time limits on the use of personal phones! However, many parents had their own electronic idols that ruled their time and so the traits are passed on.
- Many parents enroll their kids in organized sports which gets them physically active.
- Sometimes organized sports are too organized which takes the fun out of it for some youth. A less skilled player may do more sitting on the bench than playing the sport. Sports such as ice hockey are extravagantly expensive.
- One friend of mine gets his boys out bicycling by bribing them with a trip to the ice cream stand. In the war against the machines, any tactic that works is fair game!
- Physical education classes in schools are being phased out in favor of more computer classroom time.
- Budget cuts mean selected sports are cut from school inter varsity and intramural programs.
- School boards are afraid of litigation if a student is injured. Outdoor play time and recess is often limited. Soccer balls are banned in some school yards for fear of someone getting hit and hurt.
The result is an increase in cases of diabetes, heart disease and postural problems in the younger population. The decline in health could become an epidemic.
However, there is still hope for our lost generation! Fitness equipment companies have decided to go after this youthful market. The publicly funded recreation center where I work out added an area with special exercise machines for kids. The kids have to run or bicycle on the machine in order to power the built in video games. For example, the faster they cycle, the faster they can blow up the interactive zombies on the screen. This is a brilliant, innovative way to combine fitness and the video culture.
There is only one glitch in this plan. These machines sit unused. (see picture below) I remember some really young kids climbing all over them about 5 years ago. I have not seen anyone actually use them as intended-ever! Meanwhile on the floor below there are regular video game machines that do not require physical motion (except with the hands and fingers) to play the games. Kids may be inactive but they're not stupid!
Why waste energy on a stationary bike machine when this is nearby?
However, there is still hope for our lost generation! Fitness equipment companies have decided to go after this youthful market. The publicly funded recreation center where I work out added an area with special exercise machines for kids. The kids have to run or bicycle on the machine in order to power the built in video games. For example, the faster they cycle, the faster they can blow up the interactive zombies on the screen. This is a brilliant, innovative way to combine fitness and the video culture.
There is only one glitch in this plan. These machines sit unused. (see picture below) I remember some really young kids climbing all over them about 5 years ago. I have not seen anyone actually use them as intended-ever! Meanwhile on the floor below there are regular video game machines that do not require physical motion (except with the hands and fingers) to play the games. Kids may be inactive but they're not stupid!
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| A great invention that sits unused. |
Why waste energy on a stationary bike machine when this is nearby?
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| This public use video machine on the main floor is always in use with a line-up of vacant eyed urchins waiting for their turn. |
Without leadership, the war against the machines will be lost -if it is not lost already. It seems as though the prophesies of the Book of Revelation may be coming to fruition with electronic devices being the right hand of the Anti-Christ!
What type of leadership.would it take to turn the tide against the ruthless onslaught of the techno intruders??
- Parents must take back control. Set limited times for the use of electronic devices. An example would be: no electronic devices allowed during meal times.
- Make kids go outside and play. Stop using technology as a babysitter.
- Disable the internet browser on the cell phones for internet use for extended time periods. That way the phones could still be used for emergencies or actual verbal communication.
- Schools should reintroduce physical culture and activity into the curriculum.
- Organized sports should become less organized and more inclusive. Let the less skilled players get more than just a small taste of the action.
- Encourage the youth to look up to physically active role models instead of robots and interactive aliens. I know! I know! Easier said than done!
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| Little Bobby Strong: the Pied Piper of Fitness! A role model for active youth! (Actually these are my nieces and nephews. I had to bribe them with candy to leave their devices and come outside and pose) |
(If you enjoyed this blog press like, share on Facebook, and send it out to all of your friends using your electronic devices. If you can't beat the machines, - join 'em.)
Little Bobby Strong
Links
