Appearance
question:Twenge, however, cites research that seems to indicate that the Millennials are leaving their exuberant confidence behind as they leave childhood. The encouragement that so many young Millennials heard, that you can be or do anything, as long as you try hard enough and follow your dreams, has created unrealistically high expectations of themselves, producing high levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness among Millennials today. [10] Whether in school, work, or at home, Millennials must interact every day with members of the generations that preceded them. As they move through their teens and twenties, into adulthood, the nature of the Millennials' relationships with their elders is another theme found in recent literature. [11] Sutherland and Thompson describe how the changing structure of the nuclear family has, in many cases, led to a dynamic in which children are included in family discussions and decisions to a greater degree than previous generations. Howe and Strauss echo this sentiment. As this dynamic blends with the message of special importance that Millennial kids have heard all their lives, the result is often a young adult who views his or her relationship with older adults as a peer-to-peer relationship. [12] This emphasis on equality has implications in a variety of areas. Culturally, Millennials believe that their identity is just as valid as anyone else's. Consequently, enthusiastic self-expression has flourished, and Iwenge cites the explosion of tattoos and piercings as an example of this trend. In the workplace, the idea of paying dues, and working up the corporate ladder is foreign. Millennials expect their views to be valued from the beginning, and advancement to be rapid (Raines, 2002). In education, Millennials are more than willing to challenge professors on everything from opinions to the very facts themselves, with no conception that the instructor's perspective is any more valid than their own (Twenge, 2006). Generally speaking, what Millennials seem to be seeking from other generations is acceptance as equals (Windham, 2005）. [13] While more of a cultural reality than generational characteristic, technology has so affected and defined the Millennial generation that it regularly emerges as a theme in literature on the subject. While all generations alive today have experienced the development of technology, and adapted to the changes it has brought to society, the Millennials are the only ones who did not live through its emergence as adults. [14] Prensky (2001) describes the situation with the analogy that Millennials are natives in a society that is dominated by modern technology, whereas previous generations are 'digital immigrants'. There are significant implications for the differences in the ways that the natives and the immigrants think about the land they live in. What might have once been described as distractibility, is now considered multi-tasking: the practice of doing multiple things simultaneously. To describe Millennials as having short attention spans denies the evidence that they can spend extended time in sharply focused activity when playing high- VII. Conclusion [15] The clearest truism with regard to the Millennial generation is that they have been told throughout their childhood that they are each unique and special, and that as they become adults, it is clear that they have believed the message. For some, this belief will likely translate into ambitious goals, and great achievement. For others, it is likely that this belief will translate into unrealistic goals, and crushing disappointment. Millennials need to be encouraged to succeed and provided safety nets for failure as they learn to work through both of these experiences as adults.
answer:The passage discusses several themes and characteristics attributed to the Millennial generation, born roughly between 1981 and 1996, according to various researchers: 1. **Shifting Confidence and Expectations (Paragraph 10):** Jean Twenge points out that the pervasive encouragement Millennials received as children—to follow dreams and that anything is possible with enough effort—may have set them up for disappointment, potentially leading to increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness as the lofty expectations they hold for themselves are not met. 2. **Relationship with Elders (Paragraph 10-11):** As Millennials grow up, their interactions with older generations reveal a shift in dynamics. Researchers like Sutherland, Thompson, Howe, and Strauss note that Millennials have been more involved in family decisions than past generations, which might result in them regarding their relationships with older adults more as equals than as hierarchical. 3. **Expectations of Equality and Rapid Advancement (Paragraph 12):** The Millennial generation's views on self-expression proliferation, such as tattoos and piercings, reveal a cultural shift where individual identity is strongly valued. In professional spheres, this feeling of self-worth translates to an expectation of immediate respect and swift career advancement, while in education, it can lead to students challenging instructors openly. 4. **Technology and Its Impacts (Paragraph 13-14):** Technology has significantly influenced Millennials, shaping their experiences and behaviors. Unlike previous generations that adapted to technology as adults, Millennials are seen as 'digital natives' per Marc Prensky's analogy, having grown up during its widespread adoption. 5. **Perception of Self and Meeting Expectations (Paragraph 15):** The Millennial generation's sense of being unique and special has been ingrained since childhood. This self-view can result in positive outcomes for some who will translate it into ambition and achievement. For others, it could mean setting unrealistic goals and experiencing significant disappointment. The author suggests that Millennials need encouragement to strive for success and support when facing failures, to navigate adult life effectively. In summary, the passage contemplates how generational upbringing, expectations versus reality, evolving social dynamics, the intrinsic relationship with technology, and self-perception shape the experiences and challenges Millennials face as they transition into adulthood.
question:Which metaphor does Prensky use to describe Millennials?
answer:Marc Prensky uses the metaphor of "digital natives" to describe Millennials. This term is used to convey the idea that Millennials are native speakers of the digital language of computers, video games, and the Internet, having been exposed to these technologies from a very young age. In contrast, he refers to older generations as "digital immigrants," implying that they have had to adapt to these technologies later in life and, as such, may not have the same innate understanding or comfort level that digital natives possess.
question:Explain the meaning of this metaphor.
answer:The metaphor of "digital natives" and "digital immigrants," coined by Marc Prensky, compares the generational divide in technology use and fluency to the experience of natives and immigrants with language and culture. **Digital Natives:** - **Natives:** Just like natives of a country are born into and grow up immersed in the local culture and language, "digital natives" are individuals who have been born into an era where digital technology is omnipresent. - **Effortless Fluency:** These individuals are accustomed to the digital world from a young age, meaning they interact with technology seamlessly and without the need for formal education on its use. Their proficiency with technology is often intuitive and ingrained, much like a native speaker's relationship with their first language. **Digital Immigrants:** - **Immigrants:** Similar to how immigrants move to a new country and must learn a new culture and language, "digital immigrants" are individuals who were born before the digital age and have had to adapt to the new technological landscape later in life. - **Adaptation Required:** Because they are adapting to a "foreign" technological culture, digital immigrants might retain an "accent" or less intuitive grasp on the new technologies. They often require more effort to learn and may prefer pre-digital methods for certain tasks, reflecting how immigrants may sometimes struggle with or resist assimilation into a new country's practices. The metaphor highlights the gap in ease, comfort, and skill with which different generations approach and use digital technology. It suggests that Millennials, as digital natives, are more likely to embrace and integrate technology into all aspects of their lives naturally, while older generations may not always find this integration as straightforward. It's important to note, however, that this metaphor can be considered a generalization and that individual levels of technological fluency vary within all age groups.
question:What does 'the land they live in' (lines 75-76) refer to?
answer:In the context of the metaphor used by Marc Prensky, "the land they live in" refers to the digital world or the contemporary, technology-saturated environment in which we all exist. This "land" is dominated by computers, the internet, social media, smartphones, and various other forms of digital technology that shape how we communicate, work, learn, and entertain ourselves. When Prensky refers to Millennials as "natives" and older generations as "immigrants" in this digital land, he is suggesting that Millennials are accustomed to the landscape because they were 'born' into it—they are familiar with its customs, languages, and nuances. Older generations, in contrast, have had to 'immigrate' to this digital land after having grown up in a different environment, and thus they may have to acclimate themselves to new ways of interacting with technology and manage the changes it brings to society.