‘We were born to connect’

Just like in his 2017 TEDx talk, Clive Colledge calls for generations to unite and forget anything the media or advertising tells us about the age group we supposedly belong to.

“At age 64, I was awarded a PhD in communication and design for older generations, ran a related masters course from age 64 to 69. I gave my first TEDx talk on generational stereotyping aged 70 and this month at 71, gave a talk on intergenerational communities to the Bristol Housing Festival.

I will not be confined by generational stereotyping.

Alongside Jonathan Davis, an architect building intergenerational communities and Julie Snell developing the digital smart city concept across Bristol, I spoke about the required change in our thinking before we develop intergenerational communities.

Generational stereotyping is fuelling ageism.

Stereotyping generations is irrational, based on no other fact than the number of years we have lived. It’s creating generational myths, leading to divisions in society.

Examples of stereotypes: Millennials, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Z, Seniors. Even Pensioners and Youth are used as stereotypes.

We don’t all age the same way or at the same rate. Our biological age (development and decline of our bodies) and psychological age (development and decline of our emotional maturity and thinking) are different for each individual.

Not everyone in a generation shares the same values or challenges as each other, but values and challenges are shared across generations. Recognition of that creates trust between generations and will help to destroy ageism.

We need to see each other other through a new lens that questions assumptions, rejects stereotyping, looks for shared values, interests and challenges.

Look, listen and learn from each other. We were born to connect.“

Clive Colledge

Read also:

Our thematic page on ageism and intergenerational solidarity