Our generation has spent many years searching for an identity. While at summer camp we would have special dress up days of the 50's-poodle skirts, 60's-peace signs, 70's disco balls, and 80's big hair and blue eye shadow. We all wondered, "What will we be characterized with one day?" I figured as the years went by I would find this answer. Yet 12 years after the 90's ended I still have no answer to this question.
Many have called us the microwave generation or the me generation. But what does this really mean? Yes we like things fast, yes the idea of loyalty is a dying art. We no longer Memorize our friends addresses and phone numbers. We are the generation that can not handle losing our phone because, "Omg, how do I call my mom I have no idea what her number is" or it's my friends birthday but I have no idea where she lives. Many do and will define us by the large number of technological inventions that occured during our formative years. But I can not find it in me to embrace this theme.I can't help but remember that advertising campaign..We're allllll connected ....New York Telephone. This popular theme song was released in the late 1980's. Is it still true today?
The people of the 20's and 30's were brought together by the depression and prohibition. The 40's had world wars. The 50's bonded people from rock and roll and I have a dream. The 60's reminded people to imagine that all you need is love. The 70's encouraged people of all different backgrounds to boycott the Vietnam War and to support feminism to not just accept but to make a stand. The 80's expanded our growth abroad as many companies opened up offices in other countries and the birth of the music video made the world feel that much smaller as people tried to out do each other in the fashion world.....Then the 90's and beyond happened and a question comes to my mind.
Are we the most connected generation, the most disconnected?
We are one of the few generations with no cause to fight for. Part of us gets an amazing sense of belonging when something bad happens in the world such as the World Trade Center Tragedy, Columbine, and the recent wall street collapse. We have the world at our fingertips. We dont even have to get out of bed and walk outside to experience the weather. We need to pay our bills? We don't have to run to the post office. Want to arrange a date? Tap. Text sent date sent. I have to wonder how our world is being affected by the fact that many people no longer food shop in person or that post offices are becoming an endangered species? What is learning to read like when it is from an electronic device and not the book passed down from your older sister that secretly has hearts and her name all over it? One of my favorite memories will always be when I was about 12 looking through my mom's photo albums of her at 22, filled with friends, smiles, and her boyfriends heads cut off (hey some things don't change!). Will I one day be sitting with my child on facebook showing her the current 1, 770 pictures that currently identify my 20's?
I love my smartphone, gps, and computer as much as the next person but I can't help wonder are these inventions worth the gain? I remember as a child not wanting to bother my dad because he was busy on the umfoter (computer). How many more family meals will be shared by someone secretly texting under the table, or a date you walk past that instead of the young couple being engrossed in each other they both have their phone on the table. What is it about our electronics that we choose to hold them so tight? The other day I was driving and saw a woman with a starbucks coffee in one hand and her iphone in the other. She had two fingers on the wheel with her son in the back seat.
When I talk to most of my friends the most common theme is stress and lonliness. The need to feel close to someone without distractions. How many times have you been out with a friend and they have one eye on you one on their phone or computer. It is quickly becoming the norm to walk the street and instead of enjoying the beautiful day you are talking on your bluetooth. We all remember when we used to think that person had some kind of disorder talking to themselves. Now it is normal. Next thing we know they will have bluetooth for planes, trains, and subways. Anything so we don't have to be exposed to each other. We have conversations online or via text we would never have in person. I remember traveling when you really could get lost and had to get the courage to ask a stranger. Now you download an app and listen to what the computer says of how to get back.
In the 80's and 90's there were many movies out that show the evil of machines. Now we spend our days celebrating them without always examining the consequences. I look at my generation and wonder if we will be sitting in the nursing room texting when our grand kids come to visit. Will we be able to disconnect or will our addiction to upgrades and having to own the newest on the market over take what really matters.
Our generation is getting divorced more and more and getting married later and later. We have learned the importance of realizing OUR dreams. But can we really do this without each other? We are one of the most independant generations but are we the happiest? When was the last time we stopped and realized what an amazing world we live in? Thought a guy with a guitar was king? Saw someone across Grand Central Station and communicated only via peace sign? Danced all night only focusing on the beautiful disco ball overhead and not someone's shiny new phone? Are we missing what is right in front of us because we are so focused on who's status update we could be missing?
Imagine all the people...living life today...Some may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one. Try for a moment to disconnect....so the world could be as one.
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