Today’s Young Adults: Generation E or C?

May 13, 2012

Unlocking Word Meanings 
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

1. generation (n.) 
[jen-uh-rey-shuhn] – group of people born and who grew up at the same period of time
Example: Elderly people sometimes have a hard time understanding the younger generation.

2. label (n.) [ley-buhl] – a word or a phrase that describes a certain individual or group of people
Example: They gave him the label “hero” after he saved the baby’s life.

3. rebellious (adj.) [ri-bel-yuhs] – going against the rules; not following or doing what is normally accepted
Example: She was a rebellious teenager who never listened to her parents.

4. content (n.) [kon-tent] – any type of visual or audio information contained or found in different media (newspapers, books, movies, TV programs, etc.)
Example: The iPad’s larger screen is great for viewing content like online magazines or e-books.

5. entitled (adj.) [en-tahyt-l] – having a right to something
Example: People are entitled to their own opinions and beliefs.


Article
Read the text below.

There is some debate regarding what to call today’s generation of young people: Generation C or Generation E.

Labels like these come from the American habit of naming different age groups. For example, some have called the World War II generation, the “Greatest Generation.” Teenagers and young adults in the 1990s, on the other hand, have often been said to belong to the rebellious “Generation X.”

Now, some suggest calling today’s millions of young people “Generation C,” for “creative content” or “citizen media.”

According to Pew Internet and American Life Project, 44% of Internet users are actively sharing their original work. Moreover, many easy-to-use software and technologies help people create content that is just as good, if not better, than what is in the market.

Using available programs, movies with budgets as low as $218 can be made, and can even receive praise from critics. Musicians with little experience can also make good songs with the help of these programs.

But some argue that today’s generation should be called “Generation E.” The E would stand for “entitled,” because people nowadays seem to feel that they have just as much right as professional artists and writers to produce their own content and present them to the public.

Meanwhile, TV show host Donnie Deutsch says whether the current generation is Generation C or E, this is the first generation that is bravely creating original content and making their own opinions heard.



Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor. 

Discussion A
 

·         What name would you give the current generation? Give reasons for your choice.
·         Why do you think people tend to give generation labels?

Discussion B

·         Are you the kind of person who likes to post content—like videos, music, photos—on the internet? Why or why not?
What do you think about the growing popularity of people sharing original content? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?


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May 13, 2012