So, several questions for you all, for anyone who's observed us but mostly and ESPECIALLY for those who are (like me) of the so-called "millennial" generation
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1.) What do you think are the fundamental properties of the "millennial" generation (the generation which is currently in the process of coming of age, or has done so in the past few years)?
A genuine sense of self entitlement, a keen sense of irony, complete lack of enthusiasm for global events and affairs, and a remarkably high level of intelligence AND education. By and large, we're evolving to be smarter and more apathetic.
2.) What do you think are the secondary properties of this generation?
Profound superficiality, combined with a genuine "color blind" mentality. I think that the "millennial" generation has pretty much outgrown racism and sexism, and is mostly outgrowing homophobia as well.
3.) What do you think are some experiences they *must* have had; what do you think are experiences that many of them have had?Must have had- noticing but not being affected by the aftermath of September 11, becoming emotionally attached to reality shows, and exhibiting their lives as much as possible on the internet (via blogging,
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way too long comment!bluetreepoetApril 4 2008, 05:56:40 UTC
Hmm--very interesting topic to think about. I would argue that generations are really defined nationally--the cultural and social and political forces shaping self-identification are really quite different from country to country (and especially w/re: to the way US hegemony is perceived from within vs. without). So I'm not sure that people of the same age group in the US and Europe are really part of the same 'generation': although we may share some experiences (TV, music, world events) I think we're coming to them from really different contexts and therefore those experiences don't necessarily mean the same thing between countries. Just for example, I think 9/11 is definitely a defining generational event for USA millenials (it's our Kennedy assassination, Challenger explosion, etc.) but not so much for our UK/European counterparts. For the UK generation, I would guess that 9/11 and Iraq are much less significant (although resentment of the US related to these issues might be important). Possible events that might be
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3.) In contrast to the person above I don't think drug use is particularly characteristic of this generation (certainly not more than the last couple). If anything there's probably a certain amount of jadedness about drugs: a sense that it's all been done before. Which on the one hand might lead to more dangerous experimentation but on the other may be tied to a greater basal knowledge that drugs=destructive. (& we were kids during the 'war on drugs
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Drug use/rehab/drunk driving/gay orgies have been pretty common knowledge ever since the 1950s. Richard Chamberlain (Shogun) for instance, is apparently very flamboyantly gay. I was talking with my grandmother about him and she told me the police came to his house in Hawaii several times, and busted up parties and gay orgies. Rock Hudson was well known to be gay, even back in the 1960s and 1970s. Errol Flynn, in the 1930s and 1940s (I think?), I forget if he was gay or just a hard core partier.
I do agree that it's much 'easier' to find that information now and the obsession with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears is much more...omnipresent. There are certain tabloids that might as well just call themselves "Paris' Blog", for instance.
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A genuine sense of self entitlement, a keen sense of irony, complete lack of enthusiasm for global events and affairs, and a remarkably high level of intelligence AND education. By and large, we're evolving to be smarter and more apathetic.
2.) What do you think are the secondary properties of this generation?
Profound superficiality, combined with a genuine "color blind" mentality. I think that the "millennial" generation has pretty much outgrown racism and sexism, and is mostly outgrowing homophobia as well.
3.) What do you think are some experiences they *must* have had; what do you think are experiences that many of them have had?Must have had- noticing but not being affected by the aftermath of September 11, becoming emotionally attached to reality shows, and exhibiting their lives as much as possible on the internet (via blogging, ( ... )
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I do agree that it's much 'easier' to find that information now and the obsession with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears is much more...omnipresent. There are certain tabloids that might as well just call themselves "Paris' Blog", for instance.
K.
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