White, Zowie: Beloit List

    The current generation of young adults is expected to be the first to not achieve more than their predecessors. The differences between the two generations are seen as a generation gap. The presence of a generation gap between faculty born before 1980, and the freshman class of college students is formed by differences in convenience, technology, communication.
   
Convenience is something that the younger generation takes for granted. The food industry, for example, prides itself on the concept of convenience. During the early lives of most faculty, fast food restaurants were available, but not to the extent of today. Now someone can rarely enter a town that does not have a McDonald's. There are seventy-four McDonald's on the small island of Manhattan, alone. When does convenience become an inconvenience?
   
Technology and it's constant evolution serves as the biggest cause of the generation gap. It allows the younger generation  to access more information, but the younger generation does not know how to use it. The evolution of the cellular phone has brought incredible technology and a new way of life for the younger generation. They are able to play games, access the Internet, text, and more. Cell phones are the focus of the youth's attention and serve as the gateway to the outside world. The older faculty are not as concerned with cellular devices and see them as a luxury, instead of a necessity.
   
Means of communication and skills differ greatly between the two generations. With the growing usage of the Internet, e-mail is used more than the United States Postal Service. The younger generation used mainly used the USPS for packages. People in the older generation have always known to use the Postal Service. However with the help of the younger generation, they are getting used to electronic means of communication. They are not only using e-mail, but social networks and texting, as well. The older generation has better communication skills than the younger generation. Shortcuts and language abbreviations handicap the youth's ability to communicate effectively. Most are not able to switch from texting language to correct English. The Internet and social networks provide a Catch-22. The youth are able to connect with more people internationally, but are unable to communicate in the real world.
    
The generation gap demonstrates how modern advancements can help, or hinder, a generation by comparing two generations. New technology benefits everyone, especially those who know how to manipulate it. The older generation is not negatively affected by changes in convenience and communication.