Models of generational relations: From historical conflicts to the digital complex

Abstract

The paper examines generational relations and their potential for social change or further development of consumerist society. First, some hopes of critical theorists are described with a focus on usefulness of generational conflict for social dynamics, but also more negative possibilities related to the deterioration of society and the failure of the project of modernity are examined. Three retrospective models are presented and their possible application in the case of digital phenomena. Ancient Socratic model already perceives the distancing between generations, the problem of knowledge formation and agressive rhetoric among citizens. This is presented in small case studies of knowledge production on Wikipedia and Twitter as a contested political terrain. Liberal Lockean model amplifies the importance of generational conflict for further liberalization of societies, but its theory also has comodifying and exploitative aspects, that are exemplified in family media repertoires, unpaid users' labour on platforms and commercially driven data processing. Romantic Rousseaun model adds nature-friendly and artistic romanticized aspects to intergenerational relations. The analysis shows that its potential for emancipatory language games and environmentalist activism are suppressed within a market oriented framework of digital realm. The final conslusion is that, while critical thinkers expected the conflict of generations would have emancipatory potential, the generational divide serves business and political interests instead.