Here is this year's list:
> >
> > The people who are starting college this fall
> > across the nation were born in 1982. I was born in 1982, and started college last fall.
> >
> > They have no meaningful recollection of the
> > Reagan Era and probably did not know he had
> > ever been shot. Regan was shot, but what about Brady?!? Yes, I do know all about the Brady bill and it's implications/circumstances.
> >
> > They were prepubescent when the Persian Gulf
> > War was waged. Black Monday, 1987 is as
> > significant to them as the Great Depression. Actually, no, I have relatives that went through the G. Depression, and I can definitely say that it has changed my perspective on $. Black Monday was a drop in the bucket compared to the Depression.
> >
> > There has been only one Pope. Yes, but how many people of older generations can name all of them, or even realize what the significance of the Pope is.... I can.
> >
> >
> > They have never feared a nuclear war.
> >
> > They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up.
> >
> > Tianamen Square means nothing to them. Oh really?
> >
> > Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic. No, they haven't, but hey, I like the improvement.
> >
> > Atari predates them, as do vinyl albums.
Atari was actually pretty cool, and I still play records....
> >
> > The expression "You sound like a broken record"
> > means nothing to them. Sure.
> >
> > They have never owned a record player. Still playing it....
> >
> > They have likely never played Pac Man and have
> > never heard of Pong. Played Pac man, and definitely heard of Pong!
> >
> > They may have never heard of an 8 track.Most definitely heard of an 8 track!
> > The Compact Disc was introduced when they were 1
> > year old.Actually, I think I was about 10 when CD's became mainstream.
> >
> > As far as they know, stamps have always cost
> > about 33 cents. Nooooo, I still have some of the 29 cent variety.....
> >
> > They have always had an answering machine. Actually, just got one this year out of nessesity, I really don't like it at all though!
> >
> > Most have never seen a TV set with only 13
> > channels, nor have they seen a black and white TV.
They have always had cable.
> >Grew up without cable, never turn my TV on, and my old black and white TV that was my mothers is still in my bedroom at home. I'd rather read....SHOCK!
> >
> >
> > There have always been VCRs, but they have no
> > idea what BETA was.
> >
> > They cannot fathom not having a remote control. I don't use one.
> >
> > They don't know what a cloth baby diaper is, or
> > know about the "Help me, I've fallen and I can't
> > get up" commercial. I think that was one of the biggest one liners when I was about 10. I've actually seen cloth baby diapers and think they are adorable.
> >
> > Feeling old Yet? There's more:
> >
> > They were born the year that Walkmen were
> > introduced by Sony.
> >
> > Roller skating has always meant inline for them. Never has, never will, I'm a little better on spaced apart skates.
> >
> > Jay Leno has always been on the Tonight Show. But Johnny is still better!
> >
> > They have no idea when or why Jordache jeans
> > were cool. Had a couple of pairs...
> >
> > Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave. Nope.
> >
> > They have never seen Larry Bird play.
> >
> > They never took a swim and thought about Jaws. LOL. It's every kids nightmare!
> >
> > The Vietnam War is as ancient history to them
> > as WWI, WWII and the Civil War. They have no
> > idea that Americans were ever held hostage in
> > Iran. Actually, it's ancient history to alot of people, but I can fully explain the purpose/meanings of each war. And I do realize that American's were held hostage in Iran.
> >
> > They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are. Yes, I can.
> >
> > They don't know who Mork was or where he was from. Ork....Robin Williams.
> >
> > They never heard: "Where's the beef?",
> > "I'd walk a mile for a Camel," or
> > "De plane, de plane!".
> >
> > They do not care who shot J.R. and have no idea
> > who J.R. was. Wasn't it all a dream sequence?
> >
> > The Titanic was found? They thought we always knew. Um, no, we didn't.
> >
> > Michael Jackson has always been white. Yeah, and his nose has always been small too....
> >
> > Kansas, Chicago, Boston, America, and Alabama
> > are places, not rock bands.
> >All I wanted; All Roads Lead to You; Amanda; Sister Golden Hair; Dixieland Delight. I've seen Chicago live several times, I LOVE them!
> > McDonalds never came in Styrofoam containers.
> >Yeah they did, and it was discontinued b/c of harmful pollution effects.
> > There has always been MTV.Unfortunately.
> >
> > They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.Typed all of my papers on one until 10th grade, isn't technology great though....no more white out!
I guess the point I'm trying to make here is that I find lists like this really stereotypical and degrading. It's not like these are random pop culture facts here (well, some of them are) there is alot of basic knowledge on this list that if people don't know, they should! It's really demeaning that just because I might have not been born when the cold war was in effect that I have no knowledge of it. It seems as though this list is spreading the generation gap even further rather than helping the faculty at the school. It is basically saying, well, since they don't know these basic things, what are we going to talk about if I was to strike up a friendship with a student. This kind of attitude is ultimately hurtful to the student and the faculty, the student feels stupidand looked down on b/c they are younger, and the faculty member feels out of the loop and may look down on the student. They might be pleasantly surprised. Perhaps instead of instilling the "younger generations are idiots" attitudes in the faculty, this list of facts should be given to students, to really see what they know before making an assumption.
[This message has been edited by preppie (edited July 21, 2001).]
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