My reaction to the Beloit College "Mindset List" was sort of mixed. I think some of the topics were accurate, but it seemed the majority weren't very close to how I see my role in this generation. It could be that I'm not one of those teenagers who is glued to technology to the point where my cell phone is an extension of my hand. When reading through the list, I felt it almost portrayed my generation as though we don't know about how culture has changed in the many years that passed before and since and we were born. I'm not sure we're quite as ignorant it makes us out to be.
This list made me wonder if I'm the minority in my generation or if many young people would agree with me that we're not all helpless without our handheld devices and internet. I am still able to use a pen and paper and write a letter using "snail mail" as it was called, but it's just not the main means of communicating anymore. In fact, I never used my email until this fall. Now in college, I am required to check email and get on the internet everyday in order to complete homework. So in reality, it's not just young people who are technology dependent, technology bridges the age gap more and more all the time.
On the other hand, I didn't think the entire list was way off base. One of the best I thought was the reference to Beanie Baby collections and the strategic trading of them. I smiled reading that because I remember when my brother and I were younger we collected mountains of every kind of Beanie Baby you could imagine. I loved playing with them and creating ultimate Beanie Baby wars with my favorite ones. It brings back fond memories of my childhood, and it's fun to think about those things again every once in a while.
Overall, after reading this list it makes me curious to know how other people feel about it. I'm not sure it is completely accurate, for example I don't know what kind of coffee a "venti half-calf latte" is, but there were topics that I felt related to our generation too. I suppose every generation has their own individual experiences with pop culture and history, and the only thing to do is to recognize them simply for what they are. Just different.
I agree with your closing! We all do have our own individual experiences due to the environments and communities we were raised in, and and the only thing we can do is recognize all of them!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Beanie Baby story, I used to love them too! I now have all these Beanie Babies that I have no clue what to do with. I really liked how you pointed out that technology isn't something just our generation uses. This whole campus is based around technology and email. Even with your point about this I still have to say I don't write letters unless it is a birthday card. Very good points throughout this!
ReplyDeleteBeanie Babies were AWESOME! I collected tons of them! i remember when McDonalds had them as a promotion! Also, my Beanie babies also fought. it was intence! haha
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comments about using email and computers. Before college, I also didn't use email. I never really had a reason to. I had one, but I wouldn't have to check it every morning to stay up to date with everything.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the email comment! I completed my Iowa State admissions application using the snail mail paper form, just because I was used to putting something in an envelope with a stamp instead of using the Internet.
ReplyDeleteI believe that being raised in the Midwest which is so traditional that some of the things on the list aren't so far out there for your class.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is something that always gets me confused. So much goes on, its hard to understand it all. i used to check my email mabey once a week and now i have to check it everyday! Sometimes using the computer so much gives me a headache. :(
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that people still use snail mail. I have to write my grandpa a handwritten thank you for everything!
ReplyDeleteI never used my email until I got here, never seemed like it was worth my time, still doesn't, but I check it cause I need to know when things come up. Also I never collected Beanie Babies, so I don't really understand the comment.
ReplyDeleteYep, its not just us that are with technology, its everyone. But we are the ones who probably enjoy it the most.
ReplyDeleteI have always used email, its a nice way to communicate, and collect coupons from businesses and what not. I was big into beanie babies, I think i may even have them tucked away somewhere in my house.
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