Oph Topik: Disrespecting Private Property

Note that this article has been updated to also include some of the private discussions with thought leaders in the past. You can read my final overview of my research into the Millennial generation along with what I predicted and what happened as they matured at this link. While I still speak about Echo Boomers and iGenZ privately, I seldom add new articles to this specific blogspot site. If you're reaching out about a speaking engagement, you can contact me at the research firm SqlinSix.

It's peaceful now [Update: dead link removed], but what if things continue to heat up?

Protesters showing up at millionaires' and billionaires' homes is crossing over the line of private property. I've warned others before this event and I'll continue to warn people: America has raised a generation that does not respect private property (Echo Boomers). While I don't agree with any of this behavior, I view the behavior of some wealthy people extremely foolish. Provoking envy historically causes major problems.

(As anyone who's travelled to other countries will tell you, most wealthy people around the world do not show off their wealth. This human behavior (showing off wealth) has generally been a sign of a stable society. But a stable society never lasts. As that former stable society becomes unstable, any sign of wealth could cause you to quickly become the victim of a crime. Given my predictions about Echo Boomers, what do you think that best course of action will be in the future?)

Of course, failure to respect private property will produce abysmal results for everyone - including the people disrespecting private property. Look at history. Still, showing off to make people feel envy is an action that produces an opposite reaction that is never good.

Echo Boomers Don't Value Privacy

I've noted to thought leaders to remember that Echo Boomers do not value privacy (theirs or yours). Privacy is a simple example of private property and they don't value it. A fellow thought leader once note to an audience we spoke to that the downloading of music without paying showed that Echo Boomers didn't care about other's work or property.

As I've warned and will continue to warn, this generation does not respect private property from your intellectual endeavors to your privacy to even your home and property.

Do Echo Boomers Want Money, Sex or Self-Esteem Boosts?

Note that this article has been updated to also include some of the private discussions with thought leaders in the past. You can read my final overview of my research into the Millennial generation along with what I predicted and what happened as they matured at this link. While I still speak about Echo Boomers and iGenZ privately, I seldom add new articles to this specific blogspot site. If you're reaching out about a speaking engagement, you can contact me at the research firm SqlinSix.

A humorous Monday article on what the Millennial generation prefers.

The Highest Reward

Echo Boomers [updated link] apparently will take a self-esteem boost over money, food and sex. Granted, studies like this can be heavily affected by the survey's wording (ie: "your preferred self-esteem boost"). Some thoughts before taking away anything from this survey:

1. A self-esteem boost could be any number of things. Echo Boomers might think of a raise as a self-esteem boost, in which case they would be making more money. They may also see hooking up with a hot boy/girl as a self-esteem boost. Notice how alcohol consumption scored very low - this of all the options would have the lowest affect on an Echo Boomer's self-esteem (or so I would imagine). However, an Echo Boomer's favorite self-esteem boost still beats more money, sex, etc.

2. The article highlights the repeated point that Echo Boomers are the trophy generation. Echo Boomers grew accustomed to receiving feedback on a regular basis and Penelope Trunk has noted this as well - Echo Boomers love feedback.

In interacting with thousands of Echo Boomers, I have observed that they highly value verbal positive feedback over many other forms of praise and they like this praise public. The more public you make the praise, the more rewarding it is for them. In a few tests that I've done, I noticed that public praise beat actual rewards like gift cards. This does align with them receiving participation trophies when they were younger and being praised for participating in sports, even if they didn't win anything.

3. Businesses and employers have a variety of ways to use this. Don't assume that traditional rewards will affect Echo Boomers in the same way that they would affect Generation X or Baby Boomers. One tip for readers I advise business leaders: start with public praise and evaluate the results. You may not need further rewards with Echo Boomers.

4. This does not apply to all Echo Boomers. Male Echo Boomers, especially married males, show a tendency for traditional rewards (higher pay, etc) because they have more responsibilities. "Feeling good from praise" doesn't pay bills or help your kids go to college.

Don't Miss the Behavioral Pattern

As I repeat multiple times when speaking about Echo Boomers, this generation obsesses over attention and validation from others. This differs from Baby Boomers, who wanted to move out in the middle of nowhere and do their thing and Generation Xers who were abandoned by everyone and sought an "I-can-get-it-done" attitude without help. (This is why I chuckle when Echo Boomers tell me, "Everyone wants attention." Actually, no. Some people do not and also understand its dangers.)

Echo Boomers make a daily choice to overshare their life. Why? They need someone to like it! Think about how many activities that you've done that none of your friends would like? Echo Boomers would feel horrified at the thought of doing things their friends don't like or envy. This is why Echo Boomers love social media. They want praise and a "like" or "positive comment" rewards them in their special way.