Comments on: A Shattering of Voices

By: News and Media RelationsBlog Archive

News and Media RelationsBlog Archive — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:18:25 +0000

[...] June 13th, 2008 | Bread and CircusIn a commentary for e-zine Bread and Circus, Bryant student Jessica Miles writes: “I grew up looking forward to being mesmerized by my generation’s rising voices and experiencing a real sense of camaraderie that would be inspired by these voices. … Where have all the voices gone?” [...]

By: percyflage

percyflage — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:38:45 +0000

There was a fascinating opinion piece by Judith Warner of the NY Times this morning on “affluenza” as it affects helicopter parents and their children.
It’s at: http://warner.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/camp-codependence/?th&emc=th
According to the NYU Child Study Center she quotes, Affluenza’s symptoms are “— ‘debt, overwork, waste, and harm to the environment, leading to psychological disorders, alienation, and distress,’ in adults; ‘lack of motivation … apathy, laziness, or failure to commit to and achieve goals … overindulgence and attitudes of entitlement’ in children.”
Where Warner’s essay becomes fascinating, Warner says that these kids (with their breathtaking sense of entitlement) are actually at a seeming advantage over their more grounded peers, poised to be the next captains of industry, or leaders in society. Well-mannered, obedient kids? They’re going to be chum for the sharks.
Something to chew on.
–Kimberlee

By: Kristine Williams

Kristine Williams — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:38:01 +0000

As I’m reading this, I’m embarrassed by my generation. I’m sitting outside a library as some 20-somethings shout profanity as each other as a group of elderly women look on trying to figure out what’s happening.
Through those I’ve surrounded myself by lately, I’ve become aware that with each title a person adopts, they become more separate from each other. I think that this is what keeps us from reaching the underlying desires of people as a whole…trust, understanding, respect, and ultimately happiness found within these?
Actually, I just literally walked over to that group of women and apologized for my generation (or at least those who create our bad reputation). They in turn gave me an eye-opening perspective.They began describing that back in the day…”frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”, was profane. Their elders too looked at them as loud, unreasonable kids. It’s entertaining to realize commonalities between generations even as subtle as that. Everything in essence, is a cycle.
Lately however, it seems that the world we face has become more pessimistic. We consume our resources so quickly, with little thought as to where it comes from and the fact that our money is our vote. If more in our generation were to seek awareness in where they spend their money we would see great change. If more were to look within themselves and others, maybe they’d find what deeply matters to themselves and those around them. By understanding ourselves, we understand each other. With this key, we can work together to do anything.
I feel that happiness is reached through the branching out towards people of many groups and backgrounds, surpassing the ego to reach something new. I’m far from grasping patience to speak to every type of person. I don’t always speak at the right time or with the right words. Our generation can find a new way to do this. Hopefully we’ll find happiness in communication, pushing forward, and people…rather than anything tangible.