It’s Okay: Bridging the Divide Through Our Own ‘Right’ | Zoha Waqas | TEDxISL Pine Youth

Quick Overview

Zoha Waqas argues that bridging the generational divide requires moving beyond the notion that things will eventually become "okay" and instead actively acknowledging and creating space for different generational experiences and definitions of what is right, emphasizing that every generation's struggle and success are valid.

Key Points: The speaker, Zoha Waqas, realized that the constant reassurance, "sab theek ho jayega" (everything will be alright), was not directly addressing the hardest questions about the future. She notes that 70% of Gen Z feels frustrated with the older generation because they feel unheard, leading to a cycle where each generation retreats to their own definition of 'right'. Zoha shares her personal pivot from wanting to be a doctor (a path loved by those around her) to pursuing technology (AI, blockchain, business) because she enjoyed it, despite external skepticism. She emphasizes the need to create margins of patience, understanding, and space between generations to prevent the cycle of misunderstanding from repeating. The speaker advocates for acknowledging that every generation has its own journey and struggles, urging listeners to honor and recognize these differences rather than dismissing them. Her key message is that understanding and acknowledging these generational differences is crucial for creating the necessary bridge between generations.

Context: This TEDx talk, delivered by Zoha Waqas, a Digital Innovator, at TEDxYouth@ISLahore, addresses the tension and misunderstanding inherent in the generational divide, specifically concerning tradition versus modern progress. Waqas reflects on societal pressures, particularly the expectation to follow traditional career paths like medicine, and how she navigated her own path into technology while confronting the feeling of being unheard by older generations.

Detailed Analysis

Zoha Waqas begins by recounting how the common reassurance, "sab theek ho jayega" (everything will be alright), failed to address her deepest anxieties, especially when she was considering career paths outside the traditional expectations of her peers (like becoming a doctor). She reveals that when she chose technology fields like AI, blockchain, and business for social good, people around her expressed skepticism, suggesting her path was either a scam or too risky. She cites research indicating that 70% of Gen Z feels frustrated with older generations because they feel unheard. Waqas argues that the core issue lies in each generation retreating to their own definition of what is 'right' and not acknowledging the validity of the other's struggles. She recounts her own experience of choosing a path she enjoyed (tech) despite external doubt and eventually succeeding by graduating with high distinctions in those fields. The solution she proposes is to actively create bridges between generations by establishing margins of patience, understanding, and space. Acknowledging the unique struggles and definitions of 'right' held by each generation is vital to stop the cycle of misunderstanding from repeating itself.