Are You Special?
Odds are probably not, but you think so.
Today?s college students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society.
In fact even Oprah pointed this out a few weeks ago when she was explaining why she opened her school in South Africa rather than the US.
“I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn’t there,” she said. “If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don’t ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school.”
…somehow I don’t think that is completely true.
Are we now the “me” generation?
I don’t think it is the cool gadgets that are to blame but rather the privatization of human relationships. Much in the way that has happened in the business world and with Congress (damn lobbyists) more groups with fewer people (or individuals) can now wield more power than ever before in history.
In the sense that a blogger can become a celebrity (Perez Hilton for example) and people with money can convince our political leaders the importance or fringe issues we are now products ourselves. Resumes, Myspace pages, and email address are now our “brand” that we market at every opportunity.
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My name is Anil, a traveler and travel enthusiast. I created foXnoMad to connect with other travelers, discover their world, and share what I’ve learned about mine.
I agree Anil. Being an elementary school teacher I also think that the sense to learn has been lost due to too much testing. Was it ever explained to the elementary school students why they have to take a major three day test every two months? Nope. It is not for them. It is for adults to categorize them. Besides, my elementary school students have cell phones. Do they need them? Nope. They have ipods that are completely empty. Do they need them? Nope. However, do they buy them for themselves? NOPE!
ha, we talked about this today in our communications class. we were talking about facebook and myspace and how many of our friends on these “social networks” are actually our real friends versus people we just add. interesting…