Why This Struggling TV Show Has Generation Y Written All Over It

A new chapter of NBC’s Heroes started last night. And while most people were cringing to see what offbeat plot twists the writers could possibly err on this year, I was still sitting on the edge of my seat.

Heroes is my guilty pleasure. Even though the ratings suck and critics are cutting the show zero slack, I’m a sucker for good character development. That’s what keeps me watching week after week.

Consider it my inner Gen-Y enthusiast talking, but Heroes has Generation Y written all over it. (more…)

This Is What Happens When Good Community Goes Bad

Last week, Penn State (my alma mater) overcame its most difficult football challenge of the season—defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes. The aftermath was boisterous. A celebration for Penn State fans everywhere. But back in State College, PA, boisterous turned into raucous way too quick.

Students flooded the streets. Beaver Canyon, the core of off-campus life, became a sea of blue and white. And when I first watched the footage I thought, “Awesome!” But I changed my mind.

You see, I love Penn State. It’s still a huge part of my life. And when something remarkable happens to that community, I can be as rowdy as they come. But when a community as great as Happy Valley turns on itself—and ends up hurting itself— it’s just way too ugly to ignore. (more…)

Blogging About Generation Y: Is it Worth it?

The other day I got an email from a twentysomething who was absolutely fed up with people writing about Generation Y. More specifically, young bloggers who consistently use the words “We” and “Us” as if they have a God-given right to be a spokesman for millions of individuals.

The funny thing is, I could relate. I write about Generation Y all the time and it’s hard to do without sounding a little disingenuous.

So why do I do it? Why does anybody do it? Are people like me doing service to Generation Y or are we making things worse for a group of people that has enough to deal with? I’m on both sides of the fence with this one.
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Standing at a Crossroad: Am I Still a Millennial?

Because of blogging, my life took a complete one-eighty in less than a year. One day I was working in a cubicle, the next I was part of a startup. And as much as that whole scenario blew my freaking mind, I didn’t change via startup alone. The biggest changes actually occurred from within.

Events in our lives have a way of shifting our attitudes about certain things. Sometimes that’s bad, but then sometimes that’s really good. In my case, let’s just say that I’m a more seasoned millennial than I used to be.

And I think that’s a good thing. Because while I inherently see the world through the eyes of my generation, I’m starting to understand what Gen-Xers and Boomers are talking about.
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The Millennial Curse: Can Blogging Break It?

Millennials have been called everything from the Next Great Generation to praise-hungry narcissists. Of course, the media loves to sensationalize (especially news magazines), so we’re either “really great,” or we “really suck.”

I have my own opinion. Since entering the blogosphere over a year ago, I’ve met some great young people who are challenging the negative side of the stereotype. And the best of all, older generations are starting to listen. But I still wonder, does blogging—all by itself—have the power to alter, perhaps even to define, the image of my generation?
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