Ah, yes, there is nothing that makes you feel like an old fart quicker than comparing your life to that of bright-eyed freshmen about to enter college. For instance, they have their whole life ahead of them...you're just hoping to make until 5 p.m.
Luckily for us, each August Beloit College graciously reminds us of our vast differences by releasing their annual Mindset List, which looks at the cultural touchstones that have affected the lives of these students.
Most of the class of 2012 were born in 1990 (feel old yet?) and grew up where computers are the norm. Still don't feel old yet? Well, also for these students, Sammy Davis Jr., Jim Henson, Ryan White, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Freddy Krueger have always been dead.
Other items on the list:
- Harry Potter could be a classmate, playing on their Quidditch team.
- Since they were in diapers, karaoke machines have been annoying people at parties.
- They have always been looking for Carmen Sandiego.
- GPS satellite navigation systems have always been available.
- Coke and Pepsi have always used recycled plastic bottles.
- Shampoo and conditioner have always been available in the same bottle.
- Gas stations have never fixed flats, but most serve cappuccino.
- Their parents may have dropped them in shock when they heard George Bush announce “tax revenue increases.”
- Electronic filing of tax returns has always been an option.
- Girls in head scarves have always been part of the school fashion scene.
- All have had a relative--or known about a friend's relative--who died comfortably at home with Hospice.
- As a precursor to “whatever,” they have recognized that some people “just don’t get it.”
- Universal Studios has always offered an alternative to Mickey in Orlando.
- Grandma has always had wheels on her walker.
- Martha Stewart Living has always been setting the style.
- Haagen-Dazs ice cream has always come in quarts.
- Club Med resorts have always been places to take the whole family.
- WWW has never stood for World Wide Wrestling.
- Films have never been X rated, only NC-17.
- The Warsaw Pact is as hazy for them as the League of Nations was for their parents.
- Students have always been "Rocking the Vote.”
- Clarence Thomas has always sat on the Supreme Court.
- Schools have always been concerned about multiculturalism.
- We have always known that “All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.”
- There have always been gay rabbis.
- Wayne Newton has never had a mustache.
- College grads have always been able to Teach for America.
- IBM has never made typewriters.
- Roseanne Barr has never been invited to sing the National Anthem again.
- McDonald’s and Burger King have always used vegetable oil for cooking french fries.
To read the entire list, click here.
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I never felt old until 3 years ago. My still single at 38 friend and I went out to dinner, so she could decide to marry her love or not. My oldest and his bride call while we are having our drinks. Could they come to dinner, too? Sure, in fact it might spur my friend on by meeting you two. One thing led to another, and we were bar hopping. I had never been to a sports bar, and the kids thought that was a hoot. I have been in bars before, but not with all of the stuff going on all around. This ADHD person just about went nuts, just trying not to be distracted by all of the TVs. No matter how many crowns I had, I just wanted to run away. Change of several sceneries-where was my car? NOBODY could remember. We had to find that car before the hunter got home. All crashed at my house. The next morning, we went back to the haunts we could remember, and finally found the darn thing. I lose my car in parking lots all of the time, I lose my keys constantly, and I never can quite remember where I put that bill, but I have done that since I was 15. This little episode for some reason made me feel disconnected from youth. I was probably panicked that the hunter would find out that I had lost the car, but I do know with some semblance of certainty, I won't repeat that scene. Now, Vegas, that's a whole new ballgame. Limos can still get you back to where you started-if you can remember.
September 2, 2008 at 11:02 p.m.Gets worse at reunions or get-togethers, you recognize an old friend{pause} and struggle to remember his/her name.....
August 21, 2008 at 4:52 p.m.You will eventually love your Blackberry Curve, but watch out with the navigation feature ,because it will drain your battery in about eight hours.... A couple weeks ago. ,I was in Chicago and forgot to disable it and I charged the phone every night.
I grew up in the age of cell phones, but nothing made me feel older than when yesterday I got a new phone, a Blackberry Curve, and the associate at Verizon Wireless spent about 45 minutes with me explaining how it works. Seriously, I couldn't even figure out how to make a phone call on it. *Sigh*
August 21, 2008 at 2:51 p.m.It now takes me approximately 15 minutes to figure out what I'm doing on the phone every time I try to use it and by then, I forgot what I was trying to do in the first place.
Going to the Doctor and thinking he/she barely looks like they are out of high school will make you feel older much quicker.
August 21, 2008 at 2:35 p.m.A President has taught them what the definition of sex is. But cannot figure out the definition of the work "is". But it's no big deal to cheat on your wife, or lie before a federal grand jury.
August 21, 2008 at 2:30 p.m.Add this one to your list: Reality TV has always been unrealistic.
August 21, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.BTW, if you want somone else to pump your gas and check your oil and tire pressure, go to Larry's Texaco. He's on speed-dial at my home.
I work at a college and so, lately, I've been feeling really old with these young ones coming in for registration. But none takes the cake like when last week I was talking about MySpace with one of our potential students and she turned and told her friend, "Hey, this lady knows how to use myspace!" Talk about feeling like I needed a walker, and a stiff drink! I think you're only as old as you feel, and baby, I've been 21 for six years now.
August 21, 2008 at 1:16 p.m.Nope, I don't feel old. I feel sorry for them that they've missed out on all this really cool stuff. :)
August 21, 2008 at 12:19 p.m.