Stop Writing Think Pieces About Millennials
Start writing a post
Politics

Stop Writing Pretentious Think-Pieces About Millennials

It may look like what you're doing is important, but not really...

218
Stop Writing Pretentious Think-Pieces About Millennials

Whenever you open up a newspaper, magazine, or the internet, there's a good chance you'll find a slick think-piece about the "flawed" and "wayward" generation that is "Millennials", written by someone who probably isn't one.

To all of the journalists who like to write about "Millennials": As sophisticated and cutting edge as you think these articles are your no different than Grandpa Simpson yelling at a cloud.

cdn.newsapi.com.au

Nobody cares about your articles brah. You're just another member of the old guard who grew up in tougher times and judging young adults who haven't grown up and matured into full-grown adults yet. What you're doing has already been done before, only those articles and books weren't as accessible back then. It's a cycle that goes back to the birth of journalism of America which exploits the differences in lifestyle and habits of the old and new generations.

So what divides each generation besides age? How they are raised and how society and technology were developed around them. For every new generation, there are technological advancements where the younger generation adapts easier than the elder because the old generation is used to the old form of technology and mass communication.

According to the old generation, the radio was never was never supposed to work.

In the 1950s and 1960s, home televisions were never supposed to work

In the 90s, the internet was never supposed to work.

In the early 2010s, smartphones and social media weren't supposed to work.

In the early 1910s, the radio and film weren't supposed to work.

And In the 1700s, the newspaper printing press wasn't supposed to work!

What you're also doing is judging a generation raised on a culture that YOU created. Millennials didn't invent smartphones and social media. You did.

And for most members of the "Millenial" generation, they've just gotten started in the real world and are still trying to find their footing.

Growing and becoming successful isn't about having natural talent and gifts, but the brutal thankless grind from behind the scenes that no one sees. Mistake after mistake that would compel one to quit their goals before human nature intervenes and has them try again. The only difference between then and now is that young adults today don't have the privacy they old generation had when making those mistakes and errors.

The worst part about having no privacy when maturing and making mistakes is that an internet troll or mob mentality could take over you and discourage you to give up. As if you failed once, you could never live up to the greatest of your idols.

And then there is the stereotype of "Millennials" being labeled as narcissistic, entitled and self-absorbed, when the current generation has nowhere near the financial benefits that Baby Boomers had and have worked tirelessly just to get by. Every generation is at their most narcissistic when young, not just millennials, and then when we get old we'll get cranky about the next generation having it easy.

To further clarify my point, here's the video that inspired me to write this by "Adam Ruins Everything Star" Adam Conover. Conover makes a lecture at a University arguing that the "Millennial" society views as doesn't really exist.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

82729
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

50063
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

983007
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments