Member-only story
The Great Skills Divide: Why Gen Z’s digital mastery exposes our broken promises
Young people can create professional films but struggle with lightbulbs — and that tells us everything about the world we’ve built for them
When 41% of young Britons say there are “no circumstances” under which they would fight for their country, the political establishment reacts with predictable horror. But perhaps we should ask a different question: what has Britain done to earn their loyalty?
The same generation that allegedly can’t change a lightbulb or identify a car battery can navigate complex digital ecosystems with breathtaking fluency. They locate single photographs among tens of thousands instantly, create professional-quality video content in minutes, and adapt to new technologies faster than previous generations could learn to use a rotary phone.
A rational adaptation
This isn’t generational decline — it’s rational adaptation to economic reality. Why master changing lightbulbs when the gig economy offers apps to hire someone while you simultaneously manage your personal brand, side hustle and social media presence? Gen Z didn’t lose practical skills; they optimised for a world where digital competency pays better than manual dexterity.
