Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Ah, that is what I suspected. The format here is superior to social media in many ways, and would be preferred by many people if they still existed and if the ones that do still exist could be be found. The business model or social media companies is to dominate the Internet, monopolize people's time, and drive out competition.

All of the talk here about what is wrong with young people, and the calls for "accepting progress" in regards to social media may be off base.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

There is nothing wrong with young people that isn't wrong about people in general.

That said, when we concentrate on what is right, better, and helpful, life gets easier.

Big social media companies use algorithms to feed us more of whatever we consume, because they know we are likely to keep consuming it and spend more time in contact with their advertising. They also profile each of us and tailor advertising to our demographics. This is polarizing and leads to very narrow, often unhealthy world views. It's like giving a kid who likes soft drinks more and more soft drinks, and fewer and fewer real foods. The kid doesn't realize he's getting sick and gaining weight — until it's too late.

Blenheim Orange Loc: Michigan

Well said.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Three sisters understood social media from the get-go. When they were 14, 11, and 8, (!) they had a YouTube video go viral, with 7 million views in a year. It's at 25 million and still going, nine years later... It was only supposed to be viewed by their grandparents and friends. Recognizing that they had a soapbox, they embarked on a musical journey that continues today. I've fallen down their well-decorated rabbit hole of genius insights.

At ages 17, 15, and 12, (again, !!!) they released this, the title track from their first album of the same name — 21st Century Blood. This 6.5 minute video was nominated for a bunch of awards and won a few of them. It's all about the potential for evil people to use social media to screw up our lives.

https://vimeo.com/210374020 (director's cut) — If you can't see it on Vimeo, The intro of YouTube's version is 22 seconds shorter:

https://youtu.be/syTyga3lVL0?si=6UJlqkts6AMbyAhm)

21st Century Blood — original lyrics by The Warning

We're the new generation
Lost our salvation
Another problem to be solved
We're the groundbreakers honey
Living for the money
21st century blood

Immortal souls dying
Empires are falling
We are just waiting to be crushed
Politicians trying, but we know they're lying
Every truth has been sold

Hey yeah, he he he he hey yeah, hey yeah, he he he he hey

We make buildings
When what we need are bridges
We are stuck within these walls
Everyone with blank faces
Trying to fill the blank spaces
That we left a long time ago

Hey, yeah! What will our future hold?
Will we regret our addiction to the rush??!!
Hey, yeah! We've always been crazy so
Let's fly away
And roam through the world that is slowly burning in the flames

Hey yeah, he he he he hey yeah, hey yeah, he he he he hey

Everyone's in depression
Because of an obsession
With stereotypes around the world
Worldwide starvation
But in this situation
No one seems to care at all

Our communication
Replaced by animation
Television has control
Every question answered
Internet demands us
To worship it like a god

Hey, yeah! What will our future hold?
Will we regret our addiction to the rush??!!
Hey Yeah! We've always been crazy so
Let's fly away
And roam through the world that is slowly burning in the flames

https://youtu.be/EIEcjGZmQ8w?si=xWXX3Pz0NWYXu7HK is a quick overview of their story. WARNING: Addictive, if you remember good rock music!

JBuckley

The age of the "photographer" doesn't really make much difference.

I started photography classes in 1967 and there wasn't one person over 21 years old in the class.
(The instructor was a WW2 photo correspondent and was in the audience during the Nurenberg Trials.}

The ideas and techniques (amongst) the students in my youth, was as exciting and futuristic to the students, back then. One of the youngest photographers in the class was already making contracts to [Hobby Surfboards]
and making money for his photography and ideas submitted to their corporations graphics department.

I realized, at that time, that graphic arts and photography was more competitive than most jobs in the marketing and commercial industry. (So, I opted out of that career). Competition has always been very high.

At 76 years old, I still love "painting" with my camera. It's photography is an addiction.

RodeoMan Loc: St Joseph, Missouri

I wonder if whoever it is if they are any relation to that former Governor of Texas, Big Jim Hogg.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

I meet younger photogs seemingly every time I go out (which is at least 2 or 3 times a week). I see high schoolers at football games when I'm there with my band kids...where I'm also trying to get some football-shooting chops or just shoot the band when they perform. It's not hard to strike up a conversation, and most of the time I'm approached by them...maybe cuz I have nice equipment and am doing the same activity *they* are. I go to the pier often here in Huntington Beach and, again, no problems conversing about mutual passions. With the younger kids there's certainly a bit of mentoring going on, and even adults, too...lots of times it's a peer thing and that's never boring, haha. It's all in staying active and open, as opposed to "stay off my lawn." I personally would welcome younger members, I don't think they'd be out to *change* anything per se (assuming a thirst for knowledge is there)...AFA the antagonism around here, I'm positive young folks are far hipper than we are, with social media and all, and would maybe even join in the fray, lol...<shrug> hell, why not!

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Thank you for your account. You are meeting them where they are. Therein lies the secret.

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

Whew!!

At least not Boss Hogg, Hazard County comissioner from "Dukes of Hazard".

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

We are older and we like older things, especially DSLRs.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

First...do not shoot the messenger. I am simply reporting on results of a quick investigation that I did yesterday. There was absolutely nothing scientific about it, but the findings were pretty interesting anyway.

I was at school (our local STEAM high school) and showed a handful of students and a couple of teachers who are friends two discussions...the one about buying better lenses (18-200mm zooms) and the one discussing creativity in photography. These are all thoughtful, intelligent, generally very polite individuals.

They thought that both topics were interesting and worthy of discussion. But several asked me if this forum is a special needs community.

Caused me to wonder how good a match a bunch of younger folks would be for the group.

dustie Loc: Nose to the grindstone

One special need seems to have been displayed through all the threads of dismay that the layout of the Digest was changed.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Some of us “older” people also like the new cameras. ;)