I also liked the statistic included that stated "two-thirds of U.S. undergraduates now score above average on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, up 30% since 1982.." because it further proves how self-involved we are becoming. We are beginning to only care more about the small aspect of life close to us and events meaningful to us rather than things that are important to all of society. I want to think that I myself am taking upon a greater challenge to start caring about world events and not just things that are happening in Pennsylvania or the United States for that matter. I have begun to frequent websites such as PennLive and and CNN to gain a greater sense of what is happening around me within a greater radius than just my Facebook.
Lastly, I found it really upsetting that a college student actually expressed to Bauerlein that "American Idol IS important", when he was trying to make the point that we know stupid things that we will never use in real life rather than historical facts or concepts in politics. Have we become programmed to believe things like American Idol winners and who won the Super Bowl 10 years ago are actually important because they are entertaining to us? Is what we enjoy becoming more important than facts that actually mean something and contribute to reality? I sure hope not...
"We troll Facebook more than we research scholarly journals on topics that are actually important to the world."
ReplyDeleteThis quote, along with the rest of your post, made me think about the topic from Culture Jam relating to "information overload". I think that for some, reading an article about what is "actually important" means nothing to them because it doesn't relate to them directly. For most, I'm sure that the article on, using your exmple, Egypt, would just be part of that "information overload" that comes in and goes out, meaning nothing because they don't feel like it pertains to them directly. Similarly, I think, is the subject of politics with our generation. So maybe its not a lack of interest in general but rather, a lack of interest do to the fact that it doesn't seem to relate directly to our life; unlike our friends, family, jobs, ect.
"Is what we enjoy becoming more important than facts that actually mean something and contribute to reality?"
ReplyDeleteThats a good question to ask. I agree with you in the sense that I hope that's not the case, but sadly I feel that for a lot of people in our generation that may be the reality of the situation. Like Evan said, maybe less people are interested in greater situations simply because it doesn't relate to them.
"Many young adults can't go without all of the technological advances we now enjoy and obsess over."
ReplyDeleteI definitely have fallen victim to the Facebook virus...I guess that I just feel it is comforting to be connected with other people I know such as my friends and family and that it is readily available in front of me. I don't believe that I have an "obsession" but I do believe that some people do.
It's like the video games....when you take it away, people go nuts!!
I also liked the question, "Is what we enjoy becoming more important than facts that actually mean something?" It's healthy for us to have hobbies and interests, but should they stand in the way of true knowledge? Good ideas here!
ReplyDeleteI agree that our generation is becoming so insanely self obsorbed. I would love to have a conversation with someone who not once would say "O well when I..." And many times I catch MYSELF acting that way and I try to stop it. We constantly run to Facebook for some kind of comfort. But what are we really "looking" for? There is nothing but junk on there! I also agree that Pennlive is a great source of information and thought... what if people made Pennlive or CNN their homepage on their computer rather than Facebook, would we be more tuned in??
ReplyDelete