The topic that interested me the most in this article was the psychological differences between the generations. The author with “but I have studies! I have statistics! I have quotes from respected academics!”, and kept his word: there were several links to psychological studies, which apparently had determined that the Millennial generation is less empathic, suffers more from Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Not only that we are, by this data, self-absorbed and not caring about anyone else, apathetic and arrogant, we are also less creative.
“That constant search for a hit of dopamine ("Someone liked my status update!") reduces creativity. From 1966, when the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking were first administered, through the mid-1980s, creativity scores in children increased. Then they dropped, falling sharply in 1998.”
While I can’t really argue with psychological studies about NPD and empathy, I disagree that the Millennials are less creative. Maybe it’s my environment, but I witness endless creativity from my generation around me. Writing, blogging, art. Maybe it’s not the generation that is less creative. Maybe the definition of creativity has changed. Maybe we can’t use pencil and paper tests anymore to determine level of creativity in children and teenagers, who barely use those things in their daily lives. Maybe they swapped brushes and paint to Photoshop, and invented new forms of art and self-expression, and maybe the tests need to be adjusted to that. And being able to share your creativity so fast allowed them to enjoy not only the creative process, but the consequences of it: praise and compliments, right away. Everything in life has its downside. Previous generations had less opportunities for the art to be seen or heard of. The Millennials experience much more peer pressure. They are encouraged as well as discouraged. Becoming a micro-celebrity is easy, but it is as easy to become a national laughing stock because of an unfortunate “selfie”. That is something previous generations hadn’t - and couldn’t - experience. These new experiences are bound to create new defense mechanisms and new attitudes. The circumstances have changed too radically for old measurements to be applied.
The other topic of the article I found interesting for the statement that the Millennial Generation has less civic engagement and lower political participation. “Because millennials don't respect authority, they also don't resent it. That's why they're the first teens who aren't rebelling. They're not even sullen.”
I find it untrue for me, as I am a political refugee, and can’t judge if it is true for the overall generation, or just the American society, but if it is, that is truly depressing.
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