Reality Check ~~ Beloit College,

[Guest]

Just in case you weren't feeling too old today, this will certainly change things. Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of this year's incoming freshmen. Here's this year's list: 

The people who are starting college this fall across the nation were born in 2003. 

They are too young to remember the space shuttle blowing up. 

Their lifetime has always included AIDS.

Bottle caps have always been screw off and plastic.

The CD was introduced 12 years before they were born.

They have always had an answering machine..

They have always had cable.

They cannot fathom not having a remote control.. 

Popcorn has always been cooked in the microwave. 

They never took a swim and thought about Jaws.

They can't imagine what hard contact lenses are. 

They don't know who Mork was or where he was from.

They never heard: "Where's the Beef?", "I'd walk a mile for a Camel", or "de plane, Boss, de plane.." 

They do not care who shot J. R. & have no idea who J. R. even was

Mc Donald's never came in Styrofoam containers.  

They don't have a clue how to use a typewriter.

 

[fdales17]

Thanks for reminding me that I'm old.....

 

[TMH]

No, not old... experienced!

Oh, and some other stuff I recall reading:

1) They likely can't read an analog clock;

2) They likely can't operate a rotary phone;

3) They likely can't balance a checkbook.

 

[rc4fun]

One evening a grandson was talking to his grandmother about current
events. The grandson asked his grandmother what she thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and
Just things in general.
The Grandmother replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before:
' television
' penicillin
' polio shots
' frozen foods
' Xerox
' contact lenses
' Frisbees and
' the pill

There were no:
' credit cards
' laser beams or
' ball-point pens

Man had not yet invented:
' pantyhose
' air conditioners
' dishwashers
' clothes dryers
' and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air and
' man hadn't yet walked on the moon

Your Grandfather and I got married first, and then lived together.
Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir."
And after I turned 25, I still called policemen and every man with a
title, "Sir."
We were before gay-rights, computer-dating, dual careers, daycare
centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and
common sense.
We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to
stand up and take responsibility for our actions.
We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent.
Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Draft dodgers were those who closed front doors as the evening breeze started.
Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and
weekends — not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CD's, electric typewriters,
yogurt, or guys wearing earrings.
We listened to Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on
our radios.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan ' on it, it was junk
The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.
Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.
We had 5 & dime stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were
all a nickel.
And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on
enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Ford Coupe for $600, but who could afford one? Too
bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.

In my day:
' "grass" was mowed,
' "coke" was a cold drink,
' "pot" was something your mother cooked in and
' "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby.
' "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office,
' "chip" meant a piece of wood,
' "hardware" was found in a hardware store and
' "software" wasn't even a word.
We were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a
husband to have a baby.
We volunteered to protect our precious country.
No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap.
How old do you think I am?
Read on to see -- pretty scary if you think about it and pretty sad at
the same time.
Are you ready?????
This woman would be only 67 years old.
She would have been born in late 1952.

 

[Mtnviper]

A good Sunday to all! Hmmmm, not to throw water on a reminiscence fire, but it might be a good idea to do a little fact checking regarding some items on the list of not yet invented or used prior to 1952. At the very least it would be an educational experience! :~) Be Well and Be safe everyone.

 

[Odoyle]

Speaking of old-

https://youtu.be/UWLDQeVK16A

 

[Bigragu]

I’m still of that era. When it first was brought up and spoken in vogue, I thought Bluetooth was some kind of dental problem, and that Mobey Dick was a form of Venerial disease type.

 

[lbc_PSI]

No, not old... experienced!

Oh, and some other stuff I recall reading:

1) They likely can't read an analog clock;

2) They likely can't operate a rotary phone;

3) They likely can't balance a checkbook.

They do not know what a "map" is, let alone how to use or read one. Without their phone and GoogleMaps, they would likely not be able to find their way home. If you tell them to drive North, they don't know which way that is. If you tell them the grocery store is on the west side of the street, they ask "is that the left or the right side?"

 

[GeneT]

3) They likely can't balance a checkbook.

Yet this is a skill they should definitely learn. I still reconcile my checking account on a regular basis and can't understand the many people I've met who do not.

GsT

 

[Bigragu]

Here’s a good test- hand them a tape measure and a length of something that falls not on a whole inch, and ask them what the tape reads.

 

[bubblerboy64]

I’m 74 and it’s interesting to look back and to realize how much has changed. HOWEVER if you are feeling superior I’m going to suggest there is little reason for that. Sure there are things the kids can’t do but by golly there are things they can do which I’d have no clue about . Progress is how you define it. it’s certainly not the same for everyone. For all the good in days gone by there are lots I sure don’t miss. Maybe that wasn’t the point 

 

[jdh2550]

I'm just "aged" like a really old multi colored stinky cheese. And I'm okay with that.

 

[Guest]

I’m 74 and it’s interesting to look back and to realize how much has changed. HOWEVER if you are feeling superior I’m going to suggest there is little reason for that. Sure there are things the kids can’t do but by golly there are things they can do which I’d have no clue about . Progress is how you define it. it’s certainly not the same for everyone. For all the good in days gone by there are lots I sure don’t miss. Maybe that wasn’t the point

Maybe and maybe your faith is misplaced... Time only will answer that question. One thing is certain, calling a thing "progress" does not make it "good."

 

[Odoyle]

I’m 74 and it’s interesting to look back and to realize how much has changed. HOWEVER if you are feeling superior I’m going to suggest there is little reason for that. Sure there are things the kids can’t do but by golly there are things they can do which I’d have no clue about . Progress is how you define it. it’s certainly not the same for everyone. For all the good in days gone by there are lots I sure don’t miss. Maybe that wasn’t the point

Maybe and maybe your faith is misplaced... Time only will answer that question. One thing is certain, calling a thing "progress" does not make it "good."

EXACTLY-

https://youtu.be/SwZWaw2NCrM

 

[Nathan]

Anyone familiar with Joseph Tainter’s work?

 

[rc4fun]

What's A checkbook?

3) They likely can't balance a checkbook.

 

[davelarson]

I hired a teenager to work my booth with me at a busy show selling my metal art, it was in his town Billings Montana. And at the end of the show his phone battery died and he fell into a panic and despair because he couldn’t use it to guide himself home!! I was blown away that he didn’t know his own town. His sister drove to the show so he could follow her home. And he was no dummy, brilliant and very successful with a great future... but wow!

 

[bubblerboy64]

This argument has likely gone on since the beginning of time. Truth is no one knows what the future holds and we tend to look back with rose colored glasses. I choose to be optimistic while being fully aware of the challenges. I will not condemn the younger generation and for those of you who do who is to blame? Perhaps it’s our generation who has failed to teach them . Most of us only learn what we need to know. If balancing a check book is the test then many would fail. Maybe the test should be using online banking? I have trouble remembering the passwords to login.

 

[lbc_PSI]

Perhaps it’s our generation who has failed to teach them . Most of us only learn what we need to know.

While that may be true, the person staring back at you in the mirror each morning bears the ultimate responsibility for anything taught, learned, or experienced in life.

 

[Guest]

^^^^^ +1