I distinctly remember watching the fireworks explode at
12:00 am January 1, 2000. They burst into huge flashes of light and sound, and
then just as quickly as they lit up the sky, they were gone. And looking back, I didn’t even care. I
was ready for the next pattern, the next boom – at age 10, I couldn’t even
focus for 5 seconds on one beautiful array of color and light before I wanted
to see the next one. Such is the blessing and the curse of the ADD millennial
generation – and I knew it from the moment the millennium started.
We exist in a temporal world where our information comes at
us as loud and bright as a firework, and disappears just as quickly. Blogs,
sound bytes, video clips, status updates, tweets, 15 minutes of fame, web
series. We have a lot to process, so we process fast. We’re texting on our
iPhones, YouTubing the latest video, Facebook messaging a friend, all while
Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Even those with staying power resort to shock
and awe to remain relevant. Today’s biggest music icons (Lady Gaga. Katy Perry,
Nicki Minaj) are in a constant state of reinvention, all to keep us tuning in
for the next performance or video. Say what you will about the quality of our media
consumption, the quantity is unparalleled.
However, despite our brand consciousness (craziness?), fragmented
media habits, and what is generally considered a “me first” attitude, I want to
peel back the layers on the millennials.
Just from my experience with my own peers, I can tell you we’re a series
of paradoxes. We want to serve others, but we care primarily about ourselves.
We want to be adults in the real world, but we love our extended childhood. We
are driven, but would often prefer for things to be handed to us. And the
contrary is true as well: many any of us come privilege but would prefer to
earn accolades for ourselves.
We’re aware that we’re paradoxical – and we’re aware that
our distinct form of learning and processing isn’t the only tribulation we
face. We’re also aware that we’re inheriting huge, complex challenges. A rocky
economy, a volatile political climate, and environmental threats – these issues
will soon be ours alone to deal with.
Are we going to face to the uncertainty, taking on the necessary
responsibilities, or let it cripple us as we shrug our shoulders and look
around for someone else to fix it?
As a part of this generation, and as someone who is about to
break the protective barrier and enter the real world, I want to examine
whether or not we can rise to the challenges we face. Not only that, I want to
know what we think, what we value, what we believe. How do we feel about
ourselves? What does the rest of the world think of us?
I’m lucky enough to be living in a living laboratory,
Vanderbilt University, where I can examine the both the little quirks (texting
without looking at our phones in class) and the big driving forces
(differentiating ourselves as both individuals while still being relevant to
the community) of the millennial generation. All of this will indicate something
about what is to come in our country – the good, the bad and the ugly. Whether or not you are part of this
generation, the millennial coming of age story, which I plan to tell as
honestly as possible, is consequential. The foundation we are laying now is the
foundation of the future of our country in a critical time.
Of course I can’t make sweeping generalizations about my
generation based on my peers here at Vanderbilt, but I do think we represent of
critical slice of what is to come. By understanding driven and passionate
Vanderbilt students, I want dig deeper into what is at the heart of my
generation. Yes, as individuals, we’re paradoxical, have ADD and face unprecedented
challenges, but, together, we’ve been primed to make an impact. One firework
may not last very long, but when they’re set off at the same time, they can
illuminate the darkest night.
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