ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes demographics matter that is the basic notion and its paired piece that follows. This piece tries its hand at identifying organization development (OD) generations, and sketches some differences in "basic orientations" between them. "Some Differences Between OD Generations, the chapter presents detail about other generational differences. For purposes of organizing, these features will be classified as: differences in socialization; or differences in lode stars. "Basic orientations" are doubtless more easily illustrated than defined. Three emphases do the illustrative job, for present purposes. Three emphases are: process and product or content, values and technologies, and commitment and accumulating knowledge. Early generations emphasized interaction and consequent commitment by specific individuals. OD's viable continuance will require both a past serving as a foundation and a future to extend and perhaps replace once essential parts of that foundation.
