Talkin' 'bout my generation

Every generation is known for something. The ’80s had Michael Jackson, the ’70s had disco, and the ’60s, well, they had everything. But what will define this generation? What will the youth of today be remembered for? Thirty years from now will future generations look at us as the era of the iPod, and will Miley Cyrus be remembered as a pop culture phenomenon? It’s tough to predict exactly what a generation will be known for, especially when one is still living in the era (surely children growing up in the ’70s never thought the Pet Rock would be a staple of that era).

According to associate professor of film, Tammy Kinsey, there are many factors that determine what makes something memorable and worth mentioning decades from now.

“When you’re qualifying something as memorable, you’re talking about the events that shape a time period and call back memories,” Kinsey said. “The love that people find for something and the memory it creates is what allows it to be a defining moment in our culture. For this generation it’s ‘Willy Wonka’ and ‘Goonies’ or ‘A Knight’s Tale.’”

Several pop culture scholars, including Robert Thomas, president of the Pop Culture Association of America, believe technology will play a major factor in how this generation, ages 35 and under, is defined. In a recent article, Thompson called computers “the biggest communication revolution since Gutenberg,” invented the printing press. Thompson said due to the vastness of the Internet and with so many different mediums available, it is hard to pinpoint what trends and memories will stick in the minds of today’s youth and scholars.

Kinsey cited the increase in handheld technologies, such as iPods, cell phones and PDAs as things worth mentioning years from now.

Even the use of newer technologies in the recent election is noteworthy, Kinsey said.

“This is the first generation to really see these tools of communication work all the way up the chain,” she said. “During this election it was all about ‘text your friend and see if they’re going to vote.’”

While Kinsey considers herself an advocate of new technology, she also said it is what we do with the technology that makes it worthwhile.

“We’re not evolving; our toys are, and someday our toys will die,” she said. “People living in this generation don’t know what to do without their technology. We love the fact that we can surf the Web on our cell phones. We have information at our fingertips and the real question is how we use that information. Is it junk food, or is it relevant information?”

Not only is it the technology that influences pop culture, but it is also the music, films, books and passing fads that each generation clings to, Kinsey said. Just like former generations had Barbie dolls, Woodstock, Motown, “All in the Family” and “Dynasty,” this generation is no different. Kinsey named things like Starbucks, the influx of reality television and social networking sites like Facebook.com, MySpace and YouTube.com as things she thinks will be remembered.

Along with our entertainment, pop culture is also shaped by key political events, Kinsey said. Similar to the Kent State shooting’s in 1970 and the Vietnam War, things such as the election of Barack Obama, the country’s first black president, the Virginia Tech shootings and 9/11, will have tremendous effects on this generation Kinsey said.

“I don’t think we can underestimate the gravity of 9/11,” she said. “Airplanes flying into buildings is a huge thing for this generation. You’ll never forget that. As far as Obama, I don’t think we can even begin to understand what the impact of his election will be. Things like that may play into our cultural memory of historical events.”

According to Bonnie Berry, a lecturer in the department of business technology, the trusting attitude of today’s youth will factor into the legacy they leave behind. 

“In earlier generations like the ’60s, it was about trying to make an impact and changing the world, and I don’t see that in today’s generation,” Berry said. “The ’60s were more about protesting and taking action, and the generation now, especially college students, wants to follow the rules and are expecting a positive outcome. They are innocent and very hopeful. In the ’60s, the students were very jaded and didn’t trust what they were told.”

“This generation seems more serious,” Kinsey said. “Twenty years ago we assumed it would all be okay. Kids today are seeing a global crisis, and they’re a little more in tuned to the global situation. They seem to grasp the fact that they’re going to need a job someday and they seem less into the party mentality of college.”

While trusting the groundwork prior generations have laid is admirable, it is something that could hinder this generation years from now, Berry said. With the current economic crisis, Berry said she worries about the impact these decisions will have on today’s youth.

“I don’t think a student getting out of college in two years will have the same opportunities people 10 years ago had,” she said. “I wonder how future tax policies to pay off these bailout will affect these kids. I feel bad for the [youth] today because this isn’t their fault. They’re living with the decisions that people the generation before them made.”

While there may be some dark periods, this generation’s legacy won’t be entirely bleak, Berry said. Along with the TV shows, music and fashion trends, Berry said traditional values are what will characterize this generation.

“Kids today will be remembered for being honest and hardworking,” she said. “They understand they’re going to have to work to achieve things in life. This generation wants the  American dream and believes it is still possible.”

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