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Fast paced change has been the M.O. of the past few decades. As the internet expands and practically consumes media markets, those who once were the undercurrent have become the drivers.
The MTV generation is taking over. Major corporations are now being infiltrated by a nihilistic, voyeuristic, and sometimes brash new breed of executive management. Hackers, crackers, punks, and rappers are growing their roots into Corporate America, and it’s a hostile takeover.
Approaching life and business like a video game, Generation XY was programmed to collect coins. Arbitrage and market imbalances are no different than cracks or exploits in old school Nintendo and Atari games to these new execs. Movers and shakers in their mid to late 20’s liken replacing the old regime of Corporate America to the fall of the Berlin Wall. It’s just another cultural shift to desensitized YTMs (Young Tech Males).
But this point of view isn’t just for the boys.
“It’s gone from ass kissing, to kiss my ass.” says Rae Hoffman, a well known Internet marketing consultant. “If you’re good at what you do, you can play by your own rules and not those set up by a prehistoric establishment. The teenager who spent ten hours a day trying to beat Bowser to save the princess is the same adult who will spend ten hours a day finding ways to beat a search engine. As a teenager, they were called a slacker. In today’s technology ruled world, they’re called your boss.”
“Wearing a suit is the new punk” said a Business Development Director for a multi-billion dollar corporation who chose to remain anonymous.
“Anybody can grab a skateboard, get some tats and a mohawk or die their hair black and pretend they are a rebel, but this takes balls. It’s the ultimate middle finger.”
Conservative old money entrepreneurs have been eyeing up this generation with envy for years. Initially considered a fad (see Hackers, 1995), the trend of leveraging technology by “power users” has turned into somewhat of a corporate shenanigan. In the late 90s, Corporate America began invading places like defcon to find the best and brightest “network security experts”. Many cyberpunks quickly found themselves at high paying corporate jobs, others saw jail time, while others faded into obscurity.
Embracing change and pushing that envelope is the core of the “Cold War Baby” generation. It’s no surprise that they are currently shaking up most formal institutions, especially Corporate America. Social activism and dark overtones powered much of the media they grew up consuming. Music like Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Nirvana, and Gangsta Rap was the soundtrack, while movies like Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Gleaming the Cube, Revenge of the Nerds, Boys N the Hood and The ‘Burbs were popular favorites.
It’s no wonder why this new type of executive has their middle finger up while creating the next neologisms.
The social and economic impact of “corporate punk” hasn’t been determined. At best, the rebellion is just social expression and their forward thinking nature will carry us past our predecessors. At worst, we will have a coup de tats of major distribution channels by 21st century digital graffiti writers.
At this point, all we can do is speculate, but we must embrace the change in the business world or we’ll end up dinosaurs losing ground to a possibly more evolved breed: The Corporate Punk.
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Leave YOUR Comments!
danimal Says:
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:30 pm
out with the old, in with the Hoo!
Todd Says:
January 22nd, 2007 at 6:33 pm
That is a great piece of writing man. We don’t die we multiply! “Wearing a suit is the new punk” - priceless:)
Beating legend of zelda is going to be a skill requirement for my next job posting
http://www.stuntdubl.com/florida/zelda.jpg
ODG Says:
January 22nd, 2007 at 6:34 pm
I am part of this generation and all I get is held back in Corporate America. They’re still not ready for us. The only way that people in their 20’s can make any money is to create something unique. Look at MySpace or YouTube, both products of people in their mid-20s coming up with something unique. MySpace is purchased by News Corp and YouTube is gobbled up by Google. We are still being run by an elitest group of white-haired old men who come from old money.
Yes it is true that a few hackers got picked up by companies in the early to mid 90’s. Companies, who, at the time, were paying “IT Professionals” (i.e. someone who knew how e-mail worked) well in the hundred-thousands of dollars, thus bloating that particular job market. Because of that, you can’t get a decent job in IT making over 45K year nowadays. It’s sickening that these rich old coots have ruined and continue to ruin our economy.
We, the MTV generation, are paying economically for the sins of our fathers and grandfathers. Please, CEOs and Chairmen of Boards, listen to what we are saying, you may have been in your line of business for 40 years, but those 40 years have made you weak, afraid to take risks, afraid to take advice from someone 40 years your junior. For your sake, and ours, please, heed our words.
Javier Marti Says:
January 22nd, 2007 at 7:13 pm
I liked your article. I linked to it from my last blog post
regards
Nate W. Says:
January 22nd, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Great article. I agree that the hackers/skater/punks have come up in Corporate America in a few places, but I agree with ODG that Corporate America is still RUN by white old men. That is not to say that they are on their way out and the YTMs will take over. I know I will be bumping Gangsta Rap in my Ferarri come here soon.
Marc Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:19 am
“Commidify Your Dissent”, A collection from the Baffler.
Excellent book.
Pete Wailes Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:41 am
It’s not just happening in the States. Over here, I fit most readily into the goth subculture. You know, all the people in long black leather coats, boots that look like they could kick down the empire state building and wearing more metal than a blacksmith’s wall.
And what do I do by day? SEO and marketing. What do my friends do? Some are accountants and lawyers, but most are doing things in tech, either marketing or webstuff.
All hail the rise of Alternative…
noah kagan Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 3:56 am
Great Post. Could not have agreed more! I am wearing a bunny suit as I write this.
John Wesley Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 6:55 am
Partial feeds are lame.
Chris Hooley Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 7:33 am
Updated- sorry about that, I didn’t even realize I was doing it!
cliff Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 8:42 am
…how i make my money :)
patrick Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:42 am
The issue here is that we are still dealing with our business-school generational brethren, who were taught by the same men running the corporations they now work for. Although this method in many ways works, it becomes a real issue when attempting to bring new ideas into the mix. The corporate punks have a personal brand image that oozes confidence and freedom of thought. In times of money, this image is nice for the corporation to pedistal. It is a risky move for these folks, though, because in trying times, it is very easy for a company to cut those that stick out and opt for tried and true core competencies. The question to ask here is when will the pillars of the Corporate Punk be considered as established Core Competencies?
Leonard Says:
January 23rd, 2007 at 11:50 am
Great piece of writing. The quote “Wearing a suit is the new punk” can probably only apply to corporate America, but not the rest of Asia (yet). I’ll love to see it happening here though, but from the looks of it, it’s not taking place anytime soon.
Lee Says:
January 24th, 2007 at 10:08 am
Wow, Chris. I have a new reason to like your blog. Nifty thing you’re doing with the D-badge too. :)
joshua strebel Says:
January 24th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Chris, you are an oracle for the masses. Are you considering a 2008 presidential bid? LinkBait ‘08
thomasw Says:
January 25th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
An ignorant post. In the corporate world it is necessary to adapt your *character* to meet the needs of the organization. It isn’t fun, but its the only way to avoid being a square peg in a round hole. Trading on your talents is seldom adequate. Its Utopian.
Chris Hooley Says:
January 25th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
In today’s world, the companies that mold themselves in the light of their brightest are the ones that succeed. You don’t need to be a suit, or a false face, to assimilate to an organization. An organization’s main strength is it’s people. It’s people is what makes the corporate culture. If the culture meets the individual’s needs, that individual will shine brighter.
One day I hope you find a job that gives you the same satisfaction.
Also, being an unknown and calling a person “ignorant” on their own blog is similar to me walking into your house and shitting on your carpet. Don’t be a dick. There are easier words to use that get your point across without being a jack ass.
httpwebwitch Says:
January 27th, 2007 at 12:44 am
the magic mix of corporate punk and closet geek produces technology wizards. I am one, many of my colleagues are made of the same blend of fuck you + I pwn you.
Google will eat itself. Eat my RSS.
Those that adapt their “character” to fit into a corporate culture are weak and kiss-ass. We who were antisocial closet geeks in the 1980s define our own corporate culture, thank you.
Chris Hooley Says:
January 27th, 2007 at 1:07 am
GANGSTA! That’s what I’m talking about.
kyleirwin Says:
January 27th, 2007 at 1:40 am
I’m surprised there was no mention of SLC Punk in there. You need to rent it if you haven’t seen it, it fits your post perfectly.
Sugarrae Says:
February 12th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Randomness and Two Burning Questions…
This will be my last post until next week as I am headed off to Canada for another random weekend of mayhem with my friends. Before I left, I had several random things to post and I find myself with two questions that maybe some of you will be brave en…
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Noah "Like The Ark" Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 8:26 am
I love this post. I have to re-read this every so often!
rudy Says:
April 12th, 2008 at 11:33 am
check out this band, Baker Act, they did a song called Corporate America. i think all the punks out there will enjoy it. http://www.myspace.com/WeAreBakerAct
rock on!
Randomness and Two Burning Questions — Sugarrae Says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
[...] article with a extremely unique perspective” a try (see the article and his thoughts on the corporate punk here) and saw pretty damn good success with it (over seven hundred diggs and a server crash). If [...]
The New Face of Corporate America: Punks, Hackers and Gamers « Outdoor Carpets Says:
August 25th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
[...] read more | digg story [...]