I have been battling with this ongoing idea in American culture about the apathetic nature of this generation and how that general consensus enrages me. On previous occasions I have stated how much it irritates me when anyone groups this generation together in this sweeping, offensive way that makes us seem like a bunch of mindless, drooling corporate drones, looking for handouts from our parents and connecting with each other on the most superficial levels, using the the internet against us like it’s a fatal flaw to know how to use Photoshop and enjoy interacting with each other on social media platforms. I know so many people my age who have passionate conversations about the state of this country and its seemingly unstoppable downward spiral unless there is some significant change not only within the government but in society. There are people I know and admire for participating in Occupy Wall St. because they genuinely felt this movement would change lives. My warring opinions about OWS aside, this passion is an argument against the apathy that the mainstream media and various professionals have been perpetuating about millennials. It’s true we haven’t rallied together in some uniformed, flagrant ef you to the government/state, but it is not true that none of us are thinking about it.

I had a conversation with a friend at a bar the other night after I proposed we work together on some sort of writing project to which he responded he would be down if it meant it would actually happen. He said he was tired of people always talking about things and not doing them. Although, I do want to be able to wholly defend this generation from harsh terms like, “selfish,” “insolent,” and “lazy” but when it comes to starting a solid, massive movement our generation has in fact failed.  

Where is that fire from the 50s and 60s? Where is that rage against inequality and unnecessary wars? Where is the refusal to be allayed by compromise? That “thing,” that fervent, radical desire to make this world better. I thought OWS was it, but it has failed me in so many ways, but that is an entirely different blog post. Anyway, that “thing” is buried deep within a lof of us, but it is absolutely gushing from others. Our generation as a whole is not completely useless is my argument, but that does not mean there is no room for improvement.

I for one am a prime example of someone who can be doing  and contributing so much more to society. My resolution this year was to get more involved, but somehow it dissipated once that champagne hit my lips at the start of the new year. America as a whole has so much potential and there are so many amazing ideas out there, but the thought of reforming our infrastructure, which I am convinced is the only way we will see any significant change seems so out of reach, not to mention an extremely tedious task.

I honestly think this rant was brought on by the fact that I just started watching The Newsroom and the horrible thought that what if all those articles are right and this generation is doomed to become batteries like in The Matrix.

What do you think?