Generation Me

[Ming]

I think we're all missing the point and getting off the topic at hand, and that is that most college age kids today are spoiled and arrogrant brats that need to be knocked down a few notches into reality.

[Jillybeans]

Lol, go Ming....well, you're right they are and I just hope to God it's just a phase and when they get into the real adult world they look around and realize damn I have to grow the freak up.

[Legend]

I don't think we're missing the point at all, but anyhow.

I disagree with the article. Here's why:

1) The questions are poorly worded, vague, and leading. They're exactly the sort of reason I hate multiple choice answer questions, because there's no "Yes, but..." option. As I said, I think I'm special, but I don't think the world revolves around me. But in that survey, I'd just be saying I'm special and they're -leading- it to mean that I think the world revolves around me.

2) I don't know about you guys, but I've -never- met someone I truly thought would do volunteer work, etc, SOLELY for the resume listing. Most people do it not just for that, but also because they get the chance to help out others. And even if they do, they end up becoming better people for the lot of it, and I don't think that means they're self-centered.

3) This survey doesn't take into account the Freshman Factor. Freshman are fresh out of highschool. In many schools, probably half of those kids just aren't going to cut it -because- they're still self-centered and thinking the world will revolve around them. The ones who make it through to the junior year have usually realized that the world doesn't revolve around them, and they have to work for their grades as well as for the other things they want in life.


I -do- agree that a lot of kids are too spoiled these days, but I don't think real college students are nearly as bad as, say, high school kids or below.

[Jillybeans]

Yes, the article does seem exaagerated, and the only people I ever saw in high school do volunteer work were the true overachievers who felt it necessary to have the best looking resume ever. So there are a few people out there that do volunteer so they can keep their resume looking shiny to colleges. It's a shame people don't volunteer for the sake of helping people all the time. Honestly, my supervisor or sergeant was telling me a few months ago to volunteer so that I can get higher in rank more quickly. I looked at him and said, "Well, if there is something that I feel that I would make a difference, then I'll do it, other than that I'm not going to volunteer for the sake of volunteering." He looked at me oddly, but I guess volunteering along with other exceptional things you may either do at work or at school makes you look more well-rounded(I think is b/s).
Any way those are some valid arguments against the article.

[Ming]

[Jillybeans]

What's funny is that they very small percentage of people you are talking about seem to be the ones that make TV, it's hysterical. I guess it makes for good entertainment. Also, I do find it hard to see people who actually change or even revamp their whole personality after claiming that they are the world and only they matter. Now, I'm from Kentucky and I find this a culture shock, but here up north, it seems everyone has that attitude. You'll be walking in the mall and rather then them being gracious to move over a little bit, they'll walk right in front of you until you other move or be pushed around. It's ridiculous and I'll say something like excuse me and they'll be like yea, rather then the courteous response of oh excuse me. It's like a rat race constantly in traffic, if they're not in front of you God forbid that you go a decent speed limit and not move for them. Call it anything you want, I find this extremely rude and I do believe it seriously branches off from this "all about me" attitude or I deserve the best, etc. Sorry for the ranting, just had to get it off my chest.

[Akanari]

Hmmm.

Yes. No. Maybe.

I don't think here is the best place to use personal examples, mostly because we are people of exceptional quality (Simple flattery? I think not).

We know who we're talking about when we say "those" people. I think we're afraid, not afraid, but wary of citing specific people. I am too, because you never really know, right? Everyone is acting right by someone, even if it's only themselves.

But to return the point of narcissism. Yes, I agree with Shandriz in that the questions seem to be rather loaded. Yes, a person in this day and age is going to think they are special. I'm also not sure what the test-makers are comparing the results to. And so many conclusions are being jumped to (ew, passive voice) in these studies that it's almost ridiculous. But understandable in a sense. Any pin they can stick through the younger generation, even though they really should be watching themselves as we practically control the financial future of the soon senior baby boomers as they're not doing much to help themselves (generally), is worth it. They (or we) can complain and predict and worry however much they want to about us, but unless they (or we) start proposing anti self-esteem programs (I wonder how the ACLU would think about that) there isn't terribly much that can be done.

Another point. Other generations (those doing the tests) look on us with a rather discriminating eye, not necessarily picking out subjects, but picking out questions. Our idea of narcissism is very, very different from the conclusion they deduce from questions. In this world, you need to be confident. Confidence, of course, has a line. But who exactly draws that line. Unless one gets extremely, ridiculously specific with each situation, it's impossible. All opinion. As you all know, selfishness and self-empowerment are very interchangeable, especially in different cultures. I mean, look at Asian countries (though there are movements) vs. US. I'll use a Korean example. My friend's father was telling me a story of when he went to Seoul on a business trip. Even though he is in his early 50's, he looks more like he could be 30-35, especially since Koreans were not used to seeing an African American man. At the business meetings he was treated with complete disrespect by even some of the medium members of the company. They thought he was younger, and thus, inferior, since most of them were in their 40's. Finally one of the translators for the non-English speaking Koreans (who was familiar with the customs of both cultures) asked my friend's father how old he was. He stated his age bluntly, and almost every Korean man in the room paled. Now, we don't have this problem. I know a 31-year-old man in New York City that's third from the top in a large trading company, and treated with complete respect. Uhm, stark?

But, I digress. I think where I was going with that is that people, generations, change. Nothing to worry about. I mean, it's not even as widespread as people think. It's like the hippies getting all the screen time in the 60s even though they were an obvious minority. The social elite, if you believe in such a thing, will be alright.

I still have a...point. With increased opportunity, there are more chances for the less capable of us to overcome to capable through hard work, determination, and the "American Way." Smart is different here. We, especially this generation, are raised in a "We Can Do It" culture that thrives on getting what you really don't deserve, partly thanks to softie parents and civil liberties out the wazoo. Oh dear, I hear my conservative self talking, someone hit me with a big fish. But really, in all seriousness, what's at stake here? The true nature of intelligence, or hard work?

I truly don't think that life is going to be so terrible with a bunch of narcissistic people around. Yes, they create a bad image, but society is starting to very much expand its stereotypes, especially of the younger generation. Teachers will actually let me have a word in now, and usually they are pleasantly surprised. I believe I deserve that word and respect from elders unless they can prove me trumped. Oh no, heresy.

People continually complaining about the new generation and its strange ways has been going on for most of mankind, just now more quickly than ever thanks to our wonderful influx of information. It is simply an honest trade-off, ever maintaining the balance of society, even if we do have to defend ourselves for it once in a while.

I hope I've made remote sense?

[Jillybeans]

Akanari, what exactly did you mean with your first statement that "I don't think here is the best place to use personal examples, mostly because we are people of exceptional quality (Simple flattery? I think not)."
Also, you have valid points. I do agree we can thank some of the parents who were too soft on our generation. However, I'm sick and tired of the selfishness and the this hype about, "We can do anything." Yea, self-esteem is good, but if you look at the real world, I mean dig deep and get an eye full, no you really can't do everything, it takes you, along with other people to actually obtain whatever goal is set. You have to get your hands dirty, I mean filthy dirty to get the big things done. Like achieving your goal of getting your master's degree so you can get an oh-so fabulous job that pays you good money. Even then it's not going to happen overnight. This ideal of instant gratification is eating away at our society today. Especially, with this new spin on technology that presents information quicker then ever before, fast food chains that didn't exist 50 years ago, now is everywhere you look to give you food in less then five minutes. Sure it's awesome, but then people begin to devalue things because it's like everything is supposed to work out overnight. Things generally don't depending on the situation and really I think to actually learn something you need to go through the process, either enjoy it or observe and go, hm so that's what needs to be done, and then reap the joys of actually accomplishing something you had put your sweat and tears into.
Lets be honest also, I believe it is a priviledge, not something you deserve to be able to speak freely to your teachers and anyone for that matter who is considerably older then you and express your beliefs or opinions. Honestly listening to them and the advice they have is actually better off because what better learning it is to actually learn from those who's been through it before then those that haven't. As much as I may love my friends and tell them everything, I will still have it in mind to seek out either my mom or dad's consultation on anything that I've never experienced and know my own peers haven't either.
This generation is also being scrutinized more for the fact that these kids have their heads so for up their butts that they don't even realize how ridiculously egotistical and selfish they are. Many youth seem to have no compassion for others and don't know or think about what the hell is happening half way around the world where people our age are fearing their own lives. Can you honestly say that any normal teenager today is actually interested in what our politics are doing or what's going on around us? Instead it seems they're so concentrated on their own petty problems and feel the need to only think of me, me, me. God forbid they don't have their way if their mommy or daddy doesn't get what they want. Tell that to people who are actually getting their hands dirty, working 12 hours a day, and on top of that maybe another job so that they can provide a better life for both their family and themselves.

[Graillik Tur]

This isn't a political statement at all. But it
is true that you are entitled to nothing. Nothing
is ever a God given right. Someone has to pay for
everything most people take for granted. My
family has an extensive past in serving this
country in one way or another. Both of my
grandfathers fought in WWII. My uncle helped to
develope the Nuclear Navy that is such a deterant
to foreign countrys that would want to do us harm.
My great uncle lost 2 toes and the feeling in his
hands due to frost bite in Germany. My uncle
suffers from flash backs of being a Vietnam
sniper. My father helped to develope the
predicesors to our UAV aircraft back in the 70s
and had a TS//SI clearance from the government as
I have now.

Let me make it plain and simple for everyone right
now. What you see in the news is not the whole
story, and someone has died, is dying, will die,
and has done and will do so freely, so you can sit
here and drink your 5 dollar coffees and drive
your cars and raise your kids. This country's
freedoms are paid with the blood, sweat and tears
of the men and women that were willing to give
their lives for the ideas of this country. And
for anyone to believe they are entitled to
anything absolutely pisses me off.

Sorry for the anger, but when I decided to give my
life freely for everyone else, I thought they
would put it too better use. How disappointing.

Late.

[Akanari]

It was a compliment, the saying we shouldn't use personal examples.

But, really. I'm moved to defend myself. There are several young progressive movements and the younger generation is more in tune than some would think.

Also, to return to the idea of having the "right" to voice my opinion to elders, I mean that with absolutely no disrespect. I cannot defend most of the generation, the sorry bunch that they are. I was more reiterating that this is natural change. I'm not sure why everyone (as in the public) is in such an uproar.

I shall take a different defensive standpoint. I shall defend myself and others I know against over-generalization. I cannot defend the entire generation as I really, really, despise some of its members and completely agree with some of the accusations, but I still protest. I could be completely like these people I so despise and just be completely blind to it in my self-centeredness, but if I am, could someone please tell me?

Pray tell, what will be the effects of a lazy, self-loving nation? I say we're already seeing it now. America will not last forever as -the- power, but will this new generation, more active than most would think, aid in the fall or come, confidently, to its aid? To not ignore the article, it has answered some of the questions I present, but I'm simply presenting them.

Thing is, if most college age kids are spoiled, how do we knock them down? Aren't we also hearing cries for increasing our self-esteem? I mean, look at the rising rates of Anorexia Nervosa and Body Dysmorphic Disorders. Yes, that could be due to more advanced testing and alerted public, but this generation has a very, very warped view of self-esteem.

I'm just being the Devil's Advocate here. :]