The Dumbest Generation, Essay Example

A Critique of Mark Bauerlin’s Assessment of “The Dumbest Generation”

Generation Y. has been called many things. Among these names: the “I-generation”, generation whine, and others. Unlike previous generations, generation Y. has grown up during the peak of the technology development era; otherwise known as the information age. Social media is more accessible than ever. With this accessibility has come a great deal of innovation and also a great deal of problems.Bauerlin believes that our generation does not have the power, the drive, or the desire to make the most out of all that we have been given. However, I would argue that most of my generation consists of talented, driven, and wonderful people that have been denied a great deal of opportunities due to a decline in freedom and over-corporatization. Everywhere that we look, we are bombarded by corporate advertisements. The corporations tell us what to wear, how to dress, and how to think. While there are those among us that resist these images, a great deal of people lack the willpower to do so. This is created a generation with a dual personality; on one hand we are creative, rebellious, freedom seeking people just like the generations before us. Yet, on the other hand we are told that we must conform to a corporate image that is shaped heavily by the media. While social media is meant to be all about people, corporations have successfully made it all about them; blurring the line between personal and business even further. Therefore, Mr. Bauerlin’s assessment is mostly true in the sense that many in our generation are brainwashed into believing anything the media tells them. Critical thinking skills have been lost. However, like all generations generation Y. has its rebels and those are the ones that will shape the future.