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.
