Beloit College’s Mindset List was very interesting. It definitely got me thinking about society as we, the class of 2014, know it, and how those before and after us might see the world. It was very thought-provoking some of the things they said about our generation. Some things were accurate, and others not so much.
I found it interesting that the first thing on the list was that most of us don’t know how to write in cursive. I remember very well learning to use cursive in third grade and having to use it throughout middle school. They claimed that we would have to know how to use it in high school, though most of us didn’t use it much past the seventh grade. I also thought that the claim that email is too slow was slightly false. I use email on pretty much a daily basis because it’s just faster than snail mail. The idea that it’s too slow I think is crazy, considering there isn’t much faster than a simple email! And again, the claim about the coiled cord around the wrist I found funny. I remember when I was a kid doing that with our old phone; up until about sixth grade we had a cord phone!
There were many things on the list that were incredibly true though. The two about helping those with disabilities and hospices and assisted living were very true. We’ve never lived in a world where it was very hard to get help when disabled or needing a place to stay when sick. We’re very fortunate as a generation to have opportunities like this. The one about beanie babies was also very true and comical. I don’t think I knew anyone that didn’t have at least one beanie baby! And having adhesive bandages of varying skin tones has always been an advantage that our generation has had, along with the chances to do community service to earn money for college, and the North American countries trading freely. The list was very accurate in stating things that we’ve never experienced, such as Wal-Mart selling handguns over the counter, a carousel of Kodachrome slides, and Fergie being a princess before a pop singer, because these are all things I was unaware of!
The list definitely made me think about where our generation fits in to our society as a whole. It’s amazing the things we take for granted, and we should take the time to appreciate those things. As the list points out, we are the generation of the new technological world, but we need to remember the generations and people that got us here as well.
I agree with you that generations before us got us to this stage of a technological world. It wouldn't have been possible without the findings of the past. Our generation has the greatest advanatage, but at the same time, we are weak because we lack information of the past.
ReplyDeleteThat was a good blog to read. You made great points and told what you thought. I actually agreed with everything you said. We had cord phones which made me laugh when reading yours.
ReplyDeletenice work. im completely agreed with your introduction about the list having a lot of true and untrue statements listed. i also really like what you said about the helping those with disabilities because that was right on point.
ReplyDeleteI think that most of the statements are untrue and the were kind of making us look stupid. But I agree with you totally and I was just thinking the same things and its like you can read my mind.... and thats a little creepy :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with several points in your blog. I too had never heard of the items on the list you mentioned that you were unaware of. The points you made with cursive, snail mail, and cord phones were also very relatable. Great Job!
ReplyDeleteI believe in a lot of what you say. I definitely remember the corded phone.. we had a cord so long you could go in the other room with it! It made for some fun memories that were brought back up. There are surely things on this list we can relate to and completely can't. The list got some things right and others wrong. We aren't as uncultured as people may think!
ReplyDeleteWay to look at the broad ideas that the mindset was putting forth, and way to look beneath just the surface value of the statements. I know I didn't do a very good job of it. I realized they weren't unintentionally making us look ignorant they had purpose behind it, but I still think they could have gone about it another way. And also you were my last blog I had to comment on, so I would like to say woooooohooooooo. Good night all ;)
ReplyDeleteagain i think most of us were shocked by the cursive comment. why did we spend so much time in school learning it when we just get this third degree about what we dont know or dont know how to use.
ReplyDeleteI too couldn't believe they didn't think we knew cursive. I don't see why they find that we think email is too slow - it's a fast way to discuss more than text messaging will allow. Great blog entry!
ReplyDeleteI agree that this list was half right and half wrong. honestly the list kinda pisses me off implying that we can't use cursive....We can write in cursive we just chose not to. And this is America the land of the free we should be able to write in what ever style we want!
ReplyDeleteThis list got many of us thinking which is good! I think it put alot into perspective for all us. i agree with your post it was nice to read!
ReplyDelete*(who needs skin color bandages, sesame street, dora, and power rangers are okay with me! :D)
I agree with you about your hospices point. Even when I was little, I remember my grandfather living in a hospice before he died. You are right in that our generation never experienced some of your three points. But future generations will think the same think when a list is made for them.
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