TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:GenX/Boomer/ad nauseum From:Scott Herron <sherron -at- HERRON -dot- CTEXT -dot- COM> Date:Tue, 28 Nov 1995 11:11:17 EST
The human mind is a wonderful device for recognising patterns and
dividing things into groups. However, to divide _human beings_ into groups
and label them artificially and needlessly is to fall prey to the kind of
thinking that motivates social prejudice of every kind. Guard against it in
yourself. We are supposed to be clear-thinking, clear-speaking writers.
If someone is young and it's worth mentioning, say that they are young, dont
slap an epithet on them like "Generation X." What the heck is that supposed to
mean? As for "Baby Boomer," personally, Ive never boomed a baby in my life. If
you _must_ describe people, describe them, dont _label_ them.
Can we now get back to topics of technical communication? I for one would
rather read about writing training scripts or RTFH...whatsits than personality
hassels over someone else's choice of pronouns in listpostings.
Hope this helps.
===========================================================
Scott Herron
Senior Documentation Specialist
CText, Inc.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
sherron -at- ctext -dot- com
