The Beloit College Mindset List: Class of 2019 (Born 1997!)

[raangoli]

I always find these fascinating and a little .. Sad? Eye opening?

This year's incoming class of freshman were born in 1997 which (to me) doesn't seem possible. Here's the article:


themindsetlist.com/2015/08/the-beloit-college-mindset-list-class-of-2019-born-1997/


Beloit College Releases The Mindset List for This Year’s Entering Class of First-Year College Students, The Class of 2019


Beloit, Wis. — Members of the entering college class of 2019 were mostly born in 1997 and have never licked a postage stamp, have assumed that WiFi is an entitlement, and have no first-hand experience of Princess Diana’s charismatic celebrity.


Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released the Beloit College Mindset List, providing a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall. For this year’s entering class there has always been Google; Email, informal to previous Millennials, has emerged as “the new formal” for them, while texting and other social media serve as the wild and wooly mode of exchange. Teachers have had to work overtime encouraging them to move beyond the Web and consult sources in books and journals. And Poland has always been a member of NATO, suggesting that Mr. Putin’s heartburn about Western expansion is at least as old as the new college kids are.


“The Class of 2019 will enter college with high technology an increasing factor in how and even what they learn,” said Charles Westerberg, Director of the Liberal Arts in Practice Center and Brannon-Ballard Professor of Sociology at Beloit College. “They will encounter difficult discussions about privilege, race, and sexual assault on campus. They may think of the ‘last century’ as the twentieth, not the nineteenth, so they will need ever wider perspectives about the burgeoning mass of information that will be heading their way. And they will need a keen ability to decipher what is the same and what has changed with respect to many of these issues.””


In fairness to the members of the entering class, this year’s Mindset List also includes an addendum of terms that faculty need to understand if they are going to communicate effectively.

The Beloit College Mindset List, which this year is as old as the entering students themselves, is created by Ron Nief, Emeritus Director of Public Affairs; Tom McBride, Emeritus Professor of English; and Charles Westerberg. Additional items on the list as well as commentaries and guides are found at www.beloit.edu/mindset and www.themindsetlist.com. Regular updates and discussions are on Facebook and Twitter (@mindsetlist).



Students heading into their first year of college this year are mostly 18 and were born in 1997.


Among those who have never been alive in their lifetimes are Princess Diana, Notorious B.I.G., Jacques Cousteau, and Mother Teresa.


Joining them in the world the year they were born were Dolly the sheep, The McCaughey septuplets, and Michael “Prince” Jackson Jr.


Since they have been on the planet:



Hybrid automobiles have always been mass produced.


Google has always been there, in its founding words, “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible.”


They have never licked a postage stamp.


Email has become the new “formal” communication, while texts and tweets remain enclaves for the casual.


Four foul-mouthed kids have always been playing in South Park.


Hong Kong has always been under Chinese rule.


They have grown up treating Wi-Fi as an entitlement.


The NCAA has always had a precise means to determine a national champion in college football.


The announcement of someone being the “first woman” to hold a position has only impressed their parents.


Charlton Heston is recognized for waving a rifle over his head as much as for waving his staff over the Red Sea.


Color photos have always adorned the front page of The New York Times.


Ellis Island has always been primarily in New Jersey.


“No means no” has always been morphing, slowly, into “only yes means yes.”


Cell phones have become so ubiquitous in class that teachers don’t know which students are using them to take notes and which ones are planning a party.


The Airport in Washington, D.C., has always been Reagan National Airport.


Their parents have gone from encouraging them to use the Internet to begging them to get off of it.


If you say “around the turn of the century,” they may well ask you, “which one?”


They have avidly joined Harry Potter, Ron, and Hermione as they built their reading skills through all seven volumes.


Attempts at human cloning have never been federally funded but do require FDA approval.


“Crosstown Classic” and the “Battle of the Bay” have always been among the most popular interleague rivalries in Major League Baseball.


Carry Me Back to Old Virginny has never been the official song of the Virginia Commonwealth.


Phish Food has always been available from Ben and Jerry.


Kyoto has always symbolized inactivity about global climate change.


When they were born, cell phone usage was so expensive that families only used their “bag phones,” usually in cars, for emergencies.


The therapeutic use of marijuana has always been legal in a growing number of American states.


The eyes of Texas have never looked upon The Houston Oilers.


Teachers have always had to insist that term papers employ sources in addition to those found online.


In a world of DNA testing, the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington has never included a Vietnam War veteran “known only to God.”


Playhouse Disney was a place where they could play growing up.


Surgeons have always used “super glue” in the operating room.


Fifteen nations have always been constructing the International Space Station.


The Lion King has always been on Broadway.


Phoenix Lights is a series of UFO sightings, not a filtered cigarette.


Scotland and Wales have always had their own parliaments and assemblies.


At least Mom and Dad had their new Nintendo 64 to help them get through long nights sitting up with the baby.


First Responders have always been heroes.


Sir Paul and Sir Elton have always been knights of the same musical roundtable.


CNN has always been available en Español.


Heaven’s Gate has always been more a trip to Comet Hale-Bopp and less a film flop.


Splenda has always been a sweet option in the U.S.


The Atlanta Braves have always played at Turner Field.


Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have always been members of NATO.


Humans have always had implanted radio frequency ID chips—slightly larger than a grain of rice.


TV has always been in such high definition that they could see the pores of actors and the grimaces of quarterbacks.


Jones and Mr. Smith have always been Men in Black, not their next-door neighbors.


Their proud parents recorded their first steps on camcorders, mounted on their shoulders like bazookas.


They had no idea how fortunate they were to enjoy the final four years of Federal budget surpluses.


Amoco gas stations have steadily vanished from the American highway.


Vote-by-mail has always been the official way to vote in Oregon.


…and there has always been a Beloit College Mindset List.

[irene adler]

This is the first list that doesn't really make me feel old, and this is about what could have been my junior/senior year in HS baby. Am I becoming desensitized, or is my youth (old age?) showing ::hair flip:

[raangoli]

irene adler - I think it's your youth and my "old" age

[v]

I think they're kind of pushing it here (not surprising). Or at least, I didn't get an HDTV until they were 8 or 9, and started using Wifi on my computer around the same time.

First responders were not always heroes? But regardless, didn't September 11 happen when they were 4? There are a lot of alwayses here that are about things that were introduced during their lifetimes.

And I have no idea what they're talking about with things like Phoenix Lights and Jones and Mr. Smith even though I'm almost 20 years older than these people.

So as per usual, my reaction to this list is meh.

[msmerymac]

Huh. I guess they don't make stamps that you can lick anymore...

[raangoli]

Aug 19, 2015 8:40:40 GMT -5 v said:

I think they're kind of pushing it here (not surprising). Or at least, I didn't get an HDTV until they were 8 or 9, and started using Wifi on my computer around the same time.

First responders were not always heroes? But regardless, didn't September 11 happen when they were 4? There are a lot of alwayses here that are about things that were introduced during their lifetimes.

And I have no idea what they're talking about with things like Phoenix Lights and Jones and Mr. Smith even though I'm almost 20 years older than these people.

So as per usual, my reaction to this list is meh.

I thought the item about the first responders was more of a political statement given the current climate with police, etc.

[raangoli]

Aug 19, 2015 8:49:44 GMT -5 TR said:

Humans have always had implanted radio frequency ID chips—slightly larger than a grain of rice.

Say what now?

I didn't quite understand this - I sure as hell don't have one. Or do I?  ^o)

[irene adler]

Aug 19, 2015 8:35:52 GMT -5 raangoli said:

irene adler - I think it's your youth and my "old" age

Upon further review, previous lists made me feel old because it was all about the technology being introduced, And this list seems to focus more on technological nuances or things that just don't seem that big of a deal. The Houston Oilers? Not a very large part of the first 17 years of my life, so it's hard to feel connected to that line item

I agree with the PP who said this list is reaching.

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2015 8:53:39 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Huh. I guess they don't make stamps that you can lick anymore...

Yeah, this is the only one that really stood out to me.

[ECB]

Aug 19, 2015 8:31:46 GMT -5 irene adler said:

This is the first list that doesn't really make me feel old, and this is about what could have been my junior/senior year in HS baby. Am I becoming desensitized, or is my youth (old age?) showing ::hair flip:

Same here.  I'm very "meh" about this list.

[genet313]

"The announcement of someone being the “first woman” to hold a position has only impressed their parents.
"

If this is true, then this saddens me.  Women have made great strides, but there are still many positions in this world where the "first woman" has yet to exist.

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2015 8:40:40 GMT -5 v said:

I think they're kind of pushing it here (not surprising). Or at least, I didn't get an HDTV until they were 8 or 9, and started using Wifi on my computer around the same time.

First responders were not always heroes? But regardless, didn't September 11 happen when they were 4? There are a lot of alwayses here that are about things that were introduced during their lifetimes.

And I have no idea what they're talking about with things like Phoenix Lights and Jones and Mr. Smith even though I'm almost 20 years older than these people.

So as per usual, my reaction to this list is meh.

I assume the Smith and Jones thing meant they don't call people Mr? But that's regional (I still get called Ms in the South) and I didn't call people Mr growing up except a few retirees and school teachers.

[Deleted]

And I agree they could have done a lot better with this list. Fewer items would have been good.

[sfy]

DS was born in 1996, so much of this applies to him. I was telling him what "call waiting" was a few weeks ago. Last week, he mentioned a lyric in a Biggie song about a high telephone bill and I was explaining to him that at one point, calling long-distance was always more expensive than local calls. Interesting that both were telephone related, but it was funny to me the things that have never existed in his world.

[genet313]

Also, lists like this remind me why I love to watch old Seinfeld episodes  - so much of that show touched on mundane details of life in the 1990s that just don't apply anymore.  Cordless telephones, getting lost in a parking garage and not being able to find your friends, waiting for people at the airport with flight delays and not being able to easily check status, etc. 

[drloretta]

Aug 19, 2015 9:13:29 GMT -5 ECB said:

Aug 19, 2015 8:31:46 GMT -5 irene adler said:

This is the first list that doesn't really make me feel old, and this is about what could have been my junior/senior year in HS baby. Am I becoming desensitized, or is my youth (old age?) showing ::hair flip:

Same here.  I'm very "meh" about this list.

I'm here too

[curbsideprophet]

Aug 19, 2015 8:54:29 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Aug 19, 2015 8:49:44 GMT -5 TR said:

Say what now?

I didn't quite understand this - I sure as hell don't have one. Or do I? 

This confused me too. They make it sound like everyone has one and not that simu just exist.

[v]

Aug 19, 2015 9:56:22 GMT -5 @kcpokergal said:

Aug 19, 2015 8:40:40 GMT -5 v said:

I think they're kind of pushing it here (not surprising). Or at least, I didn't get an HDTV until they were 8 or 9, and started using Wifi on my computer around the same time.

First responders were not always heroes? But regardless, didn't September 11 happen when they were 4? There are a lot of alwayses here that are about things that were introduced during their lifetimes.

And I have no idea what they're talking about with things like Phoenix Lights and Jones and Mr. Smith even though I'm almost 20 years older than these people.

So as per usual, my reaction to this list is meh.

I assume the Smith and Jones thing meant they don't call people Mr? But that's regional (I still get called Ms in the South) and I didn't call people Mr growing up except a few retirees and school teachers.

I don't think that's it because it is "Jones and Mr. Smith" -- one has a Mr.; one doesn't.

[anna7602]

Argh. I graduated college in 1997. 

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2015 8:53:39 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Huh. I guess they don't make stamps that you can lick anymore...

I think it's more to do with they haven't had to mail anything because it can be done electronically.

I only use stamps to mail hand written cards. And I just started doing that a year ago....

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2015 10:55:10 GMT -5 @choco said:

Aug 19, 2015 10:40:35 GMT -5 v said:

I don't think that's it because it is "Jones and Mr. Smith" -- one has a Mr.; one doesn't.

I am also trying to figure that one out. So Tommy Lee and Will were in the Men in Black movie but was there a movie about neighbors wearing black before?

I'm with irene adler on this one and chalking it up to my youth (old age).

Oh... I thought it was more "keeping up with the Joneses"...

But that still kinda exists with social media.... I'm not sure it's still referred to as that.

I do agree that the list could have been better. sfy had 2 examples that would have been great to add.

[msmerymac]

Aug 19, 2015 10:58:59 GMT -5 @blissoff said:

Aug 19, 2015 8:53:39 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Huh. I guess they don't make stamps that you can lick anymore...

I think it's more to do with they haven't had to mail anything because it can be done electronically.

I only use stamps to mail hand written cards. And I just started doing that a year ago....

I don't know. In retrospect, I guess when you buy a book of stamps now, they're all peel-off. But that's been a thing for 18 years?!

[anna7602]

Aug 19, 2015 10:58:59 GMT -5 @blissoff said:

Aug 19, 2015 8:53:39 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Huh. I guess they don't make stamps that you can lick anymore...

I think it's more to do with they haven't had to mail anything because it can be done electronically.

I only use stamps to mail hand written cards. And I just started doing that a year ago....

I still mail lots of things through snail-mail. The stamps I buy are all stickers, no licking. This was unfortunate when DD got a hold of a sheet of stamps as a toddler... 

[anna7602]

Aug 19, 2015 10:03:10 GMT -5 sfy said:

DS was born in 1996, so much of this applies to him. I was telling him what "call waiting" was a few weeks ago. Last week, he mentioned a lyric in a Biggie song about a high telephone bill and I was explaining to him that at one point, calling long-distance was always more expensive than local calls. Interesting that both were telephone related, but it was funny to me the things that have never existed in his world.

Have you explained answering machines yet? 

[sfy]

Aug 19, 2015 11:46:02 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Aug 19, 2015 10:03:10 GMT -5 sfy said:

DS was born in 1996, so much of this applies to him. I was telling him what "call waiting" was a few weeks ago. Last week, he mentioned a lyric in a Biggie song about a high telephone bill and I was explaining to him that at one point, calling long-distance was always more expensive than local calls. Interesting that both were telephone related, but it was funny to me the things that have never existed in his world.

Have you explained answering machines yet? 

Oh gosh.  I bet he doesn't know what they are.  No.  Well, maybe he would from television?  I'm going to ask him lol.  Poor guy.

[zelda25]

Aug 19, 2015 10:03:10 GMT -5 sfy said:

DS was born in 1996, so much of this applies to him. I was telling him what "call waiting" was a few weeks ago. Last week, he mentioned a lyric in a Biggie song about a high telephone bill and I was explaining to him that at one point, calling long-distance was always more expensive than local calls. Interesting that both were telephone related, but it was funny to me the things that have never existed in his world.

If you want to really blow his mind, tell him about party lines.

[bostonmichelle]

Aug 19, 2015 10:03:10 GMT -5 sfy said:

DS was born in 1996, so much of this applies to him. I was telling him what "call waiting" was a few weeks ago. Last week, he mentioned a lyric in a Biggie song about a high telephone bill and I was explaining to him that at one point, calling long-distance was always more expensive than local calls. Interesting that both were telephone related, but it was funny to me the things that have never existed in his world.

We still have a typewriter in the office that we use for oddball forms. Our interns always get a kick out of it and think its awesome and so old school. Its actually an electronic one so not the whole real thing but still pretty cool.

[sfy]

Aug 19, 2015 13:06:32 GMT -5 bostonmichelle said:

Aug 19, 2015 10:03:10 GMT -5 sfy said:

DS was born in 1996, so much of this applies to him. I was telling him what "call waiting" was a few weeks ago. Last week, he mentioned a lyric in a Biggie song about a high telephone bill and I was explaining to him that at one point, calling long-distance was always more expensive than local calls. Interesting that both were telephone related, but it was funny to me the things that have never existed in his world.

We still have a typewriter in the office that we use for oddball forms. Our interns always get a kick out of it and think its awesome and so old school. Its actually an electronic one so not the whole real thing but still pretty cool.

He thought it was hilarious that I did my college apps on a typewriter .

Oh gosh, I will, zelda25! 

I just spoke to him and forgot about the answering machine lol. 

[niq]

Aug 19, 2015 12:44:28 GMT -5 zelda25 said:

Aug 19, 2015 10:03:10 GMT -5 sfy said:

DS was born in 1996, so much of this applies to him. I was telling him what "call waiting" was a few weeks ago. Last week, he mentioned a lyric in a Biggie song about a high telephone bill and I was explaining to him that at one point, calling long-distance was always more expensive than local calls. Interesting that both were telephone related, but it was funny to me the things that have never existed in his world.

If you want to really blow his mind, tell him about party lines.

Or AOL chat rooms, lol. "it's sort of like a subreddit, but you're talking instantly like on WhatsApp"...

babyniq calls my tablet "big phone" and a friend of mine has a toddler who gets up set when she tries to play music on a landline phone and it doesn't work.

A conversation between two preschool kids last year featured "what's the opposite of a phone? / An old fashioned phone," which is super profound when you think about it.

[MNH2013]

Aug 19, 2015 13:43:27 GMT -5 niq said:

Aug 19, 2015 12:44:28 GMT -5 zelda25 said:

If you want to really blow his mind, tell him about party lines.

Or AOL chat rooms, lol.

Were those the ones you could make a character like an alien or girl (like an avatar)? I used to go on those all the time lol. It was always lame stuff people were talking about. *Walks in to room dancing* *Side eyes dancing girl* *Checks out alien dude* *Alien dude is confused since he is a she* type of randomness.

ETA: Hah I just found it. It was Microsoft Comic Chat (where comic sans was invented).