2008 Woodie Awards
It's time to pay attention
Leah Frey
Issue date: 11/4/08 Section: Opinion
A couple of weeks ago I was sent out to get quotes from students about the presidential and vice presidential candidates, what they thought were the most important issues, and I realized how many students are living in a bubble.
I approached a couple of girls walking into Brown Hall and asked if they had any opinions about Sarah Palin.
They both stopped and looked at each other. After a few awkward seconds, one looked to the other and asked me if she played soccer here. I put on my fake smile and told them, "Never mind."
True story.
This type of behavior is frightening because post-grads are going to take over the workforce and to know that students I go to school with don't know who Sara Palin is doesn't give me much hope about the future of America.
To add insult to injury, Facebook changed its layout last month and college students everywhere were in a uproar. Few liked the changes. CNN had coverage focusing on users speaking out about it. There were entire sites set up to complain about the new layout, and there are groups on Facebook complaining about it, too.
When Facebook changed the layout, it was a little confusing for me but it wasn't anything to cry about. You have to relearn some things, so what? As far as I'm concerned, it's a free website and if you don't like it, don't use it.
Our generation has become so ignorant that we care more about a free website than what's going on in our own back yard. There is an election going on and some college students don't even know any of the candidates' or VP's names.
Our economy is in the crapper, people are dying of HIV/AIDS, and our own soldiers are dying for us in Iraq so we can stay on Facebook?
It's easy for us to play dumb but it's only going to hurt us down the road. This country is borderline recession and if Americans, both young and old, can't pick the right candidate to pull us out soon, we are going to sink.
Critical decisions lay ahead, choices that will affect whether we can pay off our student loans, buy a house or be destined for bankruptcy immediately after graduation.
I was guilty, too, in high school where the furthest I could think ahead was the next day. Back then, it was common to be ignorant of issues that didn't directly affect you.
It's a different story in college so please take the time to see what's going on in the world. The average college student checks Facebook multiple times a day. Use some of that time to check CNN, to educate yourself on the issues.
And if you don't know who Palin is… Well, you can find that out, too.
I approached a couple of girls walking into Brown Hall and asked if they had any opinions about Sarah Palin.
They both stopped and looked at each other. After a few awkward seconds, one looked to the other and asked me if she played soccer here. I put on my fake smile and told them, "Never mind."
True story.
This type of behavior is frightening because post-grads are going to take over the workforce and to know that students I go to school with don't know who Sara Palin is doesn't give me much hope about the future of America.
To add insult to injury, Facebook changed its layout last month and college students everywhere were in a uproar. Few liked the changes. CNN had coverage focusing on users speaking out about it. There were entire sites set up to complain about the new layout, and there are groups on Facebook complaining about it, too.
When Facebook changed the layout, it was a little confusing for me but it wasn't anything to cry about. You have to relearn some things, so what? As far as I'm concerned, it's a free website and if you don't like it, don't use it.
Our generation has become so ignorant that we care more about a free website than what's going on in our own back yard. There is an election going on and some college students don't even know any of the candidates' or VP's names.
Our economy is in the crapper, people are dying of HIV/AIDS, and our own soldiers are dying for us in Iraq so we can stay on Facebook?
It's easy for us to play dumb but it's only going to hurt us down the road. This country is borderline recession and if Americans, both young and old, can't pick the right candidate to pull us out soon, we are going to sink.
Critical decisions lay ahead, choices that will affect whether we can pay off our student loans, buy a house or be destined for bankruptcy immediately after graduation.
I was guilty, too, in high school where the furthest I could think ahead was the next day. Back then, it was common to be ignorant of issues that didn't directly affect you.
It's a different story in college so please take the time to see what's going on in the world. The average college student checks Facebook multiple times a day. Use some of that time to check CNN, to educate yourself on the issues.
And if you don't know who Palin is… Well, you can find that out, too.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
thepensivepoet
thepensivepoet
posted 11/05/08 @ 3:07 PM CST
Hey remember that time that you were going on and on about how awful it is that not everyone keeps up with politics and don't know who prominent figures are and then you misspelled aforementioned prominent figure's name?
That was pretty awesome. (Continued…)
Lord Nomaus
posted 11/21/08 @ 1:26 PM CST
I believe that we live is such a bubble that it was bound to burst. Students and young people in general these days need to their heads out of their butts and realize that this world is becoming ever more global. (Continued…)
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