From Dot Matrix to AI: A Gen X vs. Gen Z Take on Technology
What happens when a Gen X’er and a Gen Z’er compare notes on technology? A lot of laughs—and a few eye-opening realizations.
Heather Fudger, a proud Gen X’er, and Sharp marketing manager, teamed up with Leonora Kleinmann , a Gen Z college student and Sharp marketing intern, to talk through how technology has shaped their experiences at school and work. With Heather asking the questions and Leonora answering, this blog offers a lighthearted look at just how much has changed—and what still feels surprisingly familiar.
What’s a piece of technology you’ve only seen in movies?
Gen Z: A typewriter! I’ve never seen one in person. It’s fun to see how they’re used. I use my computer every day, and I can’t imagine using a typewriter because there’s no backspace!
Gen X: I totally get that. In high school, one of the courses I took was typing on a typewriter. I was always envious of the students who could type quickly without looking at the keys and make hardly any mistakes. When I was in college in the ’90s, I was given a word processor, which was sort of the in-between stage of a typewriter and a computer. Let’s just say I used a lot of wite-out.
What technology has always existed for you in school or work that you assume should just be there?
Gen Z: A computer. That’s really the only way you can do school assignments now because everything is on a computer. It’s very rare to use just paper and pencils in a high school classroom.
Gen X: For me, it’s definitely paper and pencil. I still write all my notes by hand, even my grocery lists!
Can you imagine learning or working without a screen in front of you most of the day?
Gen Z: I honestly can’t imagine it. I’m so used to having a screen in front of me at school or work. Doing everything on paper would be very different and definitely harder since I don’t use pen and paper all the time.
Gen X: Being in front of a screen all day is exhausting. I have to get up from my desk throughout the day just to give my eyes a break. I also can’t look at my phone for long periods without getting a headache. Even though typing is more efficient, there’s still something to be said for handwritten notes.
When something doesn’t work immediately, what’s your first reaction?
Gen Z: When something doesn’t work immediately, my first reaction is frustration. Growing up in a generation where we expect everything to happen quickly, I’ve gotten used to instant results. I notice this most at home when I try to use my printer (not a Sharp😊) and it never works. Instead of fixing it right away, I usually give up and go to Staples or a friend’s house to print my assignment. Somehow, I always end up blaming the printer.
Gen X: Eh, it’s just another day! Growing up, we used dot matrix printers that took forever to print, but we thought they were state-of-the-art in the ’80s. And don’t even get me started on dial-up internet.
Does answering a phone call feel normal or stressful?
Gen Z: Stressful. When I get a call, I immediately think it might be bad news. With texting, messages are quick and less intense. A call feels more urgent. A lot of people my age prefer texts because we grew up with them. The same goes for work. Teams is usually the go-to unless it’s a meeting.
Gen X: Honestly, I feel the same way now. My parents still call me, but if anyone else calls, I assume something is wrong. At work, about 99% of calls are spam anyway. Most communication happens through email, Teams, or scheduled meetings.
What makes a workplace or classroom feel outdated to you?
Gen Z: A really old, noisy projector in a classroom. I actually have one class where the projector is so loud it’s distracting. An old computer in the workplace would also feel outdated.
Gen X: Computers that need to be rebooted daily definitely would feel outdated to me.
What’s your preferred way to communicate for school or work? Which method feels slow?
Gen Z: It depends. If I need to email a professor, if I can’t make it to class, that works best. Face-to-face interaction has gone down, but I still prefer it for important conversations. At work, email and Teams are best, though in-person conversations can be helpful too.
Gen X: I prefer email because I like having things in writing, so I don’t miss anything important. That said, face-to-face communication still has a lot of value. You can get so much more context from an informal in-person conversation.
What do you think older generations misunderstand most about Gen Z and technology?
Gen Z: I think older generations sometimes misunderstand how intentional we are with technology. It’s not that we avoid phone calls because we’re impatient or don’t care. We choose tools like texting or AI because they’re efficient and fit how we manage information. We see technology as a way to streamline communication and get things done faster, not as a shortcut or a lack of effort.
Gen X: As a Gen X’er who’s watched the evolution of Millennials and now Gen Z, I think younger generations are often misjudged as lazy or outspoken. Working closely with Millennials and Gen Z, I’ve learned so much from them, and I’ve also grown to better value my own skillset.
What technology do you think we’ll all be laughing at in 20 years?
Gen Z: I think we’ll definitely be laughing at car radios in the future. Instead of turning a dial or scrolling through stations, AI will have your favorite music, podcasts, or playlists already set.
Gen X: I just want passwords to be a thing of the past. Remembering thousands of passwords is exhausting! Everything should be authenticated by your eye or fingerprint.
What is Your Favorite Sharp Technology and Why?
Gen Z: My favorite Sharp technology is the Compact MFP. I love seeing them all over my campus at Ramapo College. It’s a reminder that Sharp is a part of my campus life. Whenever I need to print, it’s easy and reliable. Just spotting them around makes me appreciate Sharp and the support it gives students on campus.
Gen X: I like the Sharp dvLED because it isn’t just your typical display. It demands attention. It’s an experience, and the color, depth and scale makes everything looks cinematic. It turns everyday messaging into something dramatic!
So, there you have it folks. From Gen Z’s expectation of instant results to Gen X’s appreciation for patience and handwritten notes, the interview shows that technology doesn’t just shape how we work and learn, but how we communicate, solve problems and even get frustrated. While the tools may change, from wite-out to AI, from dial-up to Teams, the underlying goals remain the same: to work efficiently, stay connected and make sense of a constantly evolving world. And if there’s one thing both generations agree on, it’s that today’s cutting-edge tech will someday be the thing we laugh about most.