From Digital Generations to the Emergence of the Perennials and Their Kairos Time Outbursts

Conference paper.  

Yepez-Reyes, V., Tapia, J., Cevallos, P. (2025). From Digital Generations to the Emergence of the Perennials and Their Kairos Time Outbursts. In: Ibáñez, D.B., Gallardo-Echenique, E., Siringoringo, H., Diez, N.L. (eds) Communication and Applied Technologies. ICOMTA 2024, pp. 475-485. Smart Innovation, Systems and Technologies, vol 427. Springer, Singapore.

Generational theory has established clear-cut divisions about the characteristics and life span of each generation based on information from Europe and the United States. This study focuses on determining whether this theory applies to Ecuador, to understand how digital generations in the land stand. The results revealed that the endeavor was not only complex but also useless. The digital landscape has significantly blurred traditional divisions and nuanced benchmarks. Literature has also moved into a post-generation stage in recent years introducing a new category, namely “the perennials”. This paper discusses the findings of the study of digital generations in Ecuador, recognizing the emergence of “the perennials” as a distinct category. This category embodies the Greek notion of aion time—perennial, unbounded, and cyclic—yet involving moments of kairos time—spontaneous, filled with ‘aha’ experiences and unique—. The coexistence of aion and kairos time within the chronological framework of kronos time—fundamental to generational theory—reflects the multifaceted nature of digital generational identity. Through a statistical factor analysis approach the study analyzed the result of a survey undertaken to respondents from 23 provinces (n = 957), aged 18–91. The analysis posed particular challenges, demanding a nuanced comprehension of “the perennials” and their experiences. As such, the perennials are still divided into five categories, namely outbursts of kairos time: informed, progressist, indifferent, devout, and political. By recognizing and contextualizing these outbursts, the study sheds light on the diverse and dynamic nature of digital time in Ecuador.