Livin' on the Edge

We live in a time when news, both real and fake, spreads at an alarming rate.  So much comes so quickly that it can be difficult to process the difference between the two.  This issue has come to a head multiple times in my classrooms this year, as my students blindly believe the Buzzfeeds, trending Twitter posts, and Onion articles without looking to validate the source.  There's something wrong with the world today, and I think I know what it is.

It was interesting to read the SCSU characterization of the Edge Generation as tech-savvy, team-oriented, optimistic, and with high expectations.  In many ways, my students tend to err on the opposite side of this generalization.

I find it strange that, in spite of the tremendous rise in teen suicide, the emergence of depression as a mental illness, and the explosion of MMORPGs, in which people use games as a form of escapism, one can label this generation "optimistic."  The articles, posts, and general outcry over the election is the most deterministic, fatalistic, and nihilistic I have ever seen humanity, even more so than after Y2K, 9/11, and the War on Terror.

I have seen this generation characterized as egotistical and hedonistic, its tech savvy operating in direct contrast to the team-oriented mentality expressed in the SCSU article.  Even when given the ability to work in groups on projects, students use the Google suite to jigsaw assignments rather than working together.  If students are given segmented assignments with roles, each will do their role with minimal interaction.

Furthermore, the Edge Generation has been widely criticized for NOT having high expectations, either expected of it by others or by the members themselves.  Student-athletes are given participation trophies for taking part in sporting events, regardless of position.  This arguably reinforces a lack of desire to perform well or improve.

At their best, Edge Generation individuals seem to be empowered, individualistic, and curious.  At their worst, however, they can be considered entitled, self-centered, and incendiary.  From my experience, the definition from SCSU is inaccurate and shortsighted, and fails to capture the essence of the generalization.

Introductory Post

Good evening, all!

My name is Jeremy Rowe, and I have never kept a blog before.

That's not to say I have never started a blog, nor is that to say that I am unaware of the benefits of online publishing, nor is that to say that I have a dearth of thoughts and opinions to share.  I am a published author, with more than 20 short prose and poetic publications to my credit.  I have edited a book of poetry, and served as editor of publication for a Greek mythology website for a summer.  I have taught subjects ranging from Spanish to Physics in parochial schools, before settling into my current positions as a 10th, 11th, and 8th grade teacher and an ACT/SAT prep and Writing and foreign language tutor.  I speak Spanish, French, Japanese, Hebrew, and Italian, in addition to English.  Despite my diverse skill set and birth at the onset of the late 20th century tech boon, I would consider myself a digital immigrant.

I am, slowly but surely, being dragged into the 21st century.  I still have a flip phone, only just made a Twitter account, made a Facebook page at my roommates' request in college, and replaced my 10-year-old laptop last calendar year because it didn't have a webcam for Blackboard Collaborate.  I've had the same phone since high school, and my college computer is still on my desk.  The only game consoles I have ever purchased were the PlayStation 2 and Nintendo 64, which I still own.  I keep notes on small yellow notepads, which are reflected in the background of my school website.  Students frequently poke fun at my archaic technology, but my tech Buddha has protected my devices since I purchased it my Freshman year of college, when my phone, computer, and car all died on the same weekend.

I look forward to sharing this semester's adventure with you all.

Good night!