Generativity

The term "generativity" was introduced by Erik Erikson in 1950 within his theory of psychosocial development. It describes a concern for guiding and establishing the next generation, typically emerging during middle age (ages 45–64). This concept contrasts with stagnation and involves contributing to society through nurturing, teaching, and creative work. Modern interpretations include a focus on legacy and philanthropy. McAdams and de St. Aubin developed a scale to measure generativity, assessing actions like sharing knowledge or improving communities.

In 2006, Jonathan Zittrain applied the term to technology, defining it as a system's ability to produce new outputs without its creators' input. Examples include the internet and personal computers, which enable unanticipated innovations through user contributions. Zittrain highlights the importance of maintaining generativity, warning that shifts toward stability could lead to closed systems. He critiques focusing solely on "means" like network neutrality rather than the end goal of generativity, arguing this could result in restrictive technologies like information appliances.

Generativity in technology refers to systems that support novel creations, with the internet exemplifying such a generative force. However, Zittrain cautions against losing this quality through moves toward stability and consumer priorities, emphasizing the need to preserve open, adaptable platforms rather than rigid, controlled environments.