More Generation Y humbug

Read Write Web's turn to eulogise this time....

Generation Y is arguably the most socially conscious generation in existence. They're well aware of how social changes affect them and use the internet as a tool to keep them aware of what's going on. Gen Yers are making their stances well known on Facebook. In 2006, the top 10 advocacy groups on Facebook were:


1. Reduce the Drinking Age to 18! - 111,275

2. Legalize Same-Sex Marriage - 80,458

3. Americans for Alternative Energy - 69,465

4. Support a Woman's Right to Choose - 66,806

5. Support Stem Cell Research - 55,219

6. Abolish Abstinence Only Sex Education - 54,712

7. Government + Religion = Disaster - 47,949

8. AIDS / HIV research - 24,789

9. Equal Rights for Gays - 24,013

10. Pro-Life - 22,409

All very right-on stuff of course, saving the planet coming a reasonable third after sex n' booze (though Europeans may be nonplussed at not being allowed to drink at 18... )- but if they actually had to pay to put their opinion on the those Facebook groups, it would be a different story. Behavioural Economists differentiate between weak and strong signals of commitment, this is as weak as it gets, so building a thesis of generational caring is a pretty big stretch. And assuming that it will lead to something is also an ask - after all, look at the Flower Children of the 60's, who have turned into the most self absorbed generation the planet has known. Tom Lehrer satirised them perfectly in his song "Folk Song Army", and with this lead in:

You have to admire people who sing these songs. It takes a certain amount of courage to get up in a coffee-house or a college auditorium and come out in favor of the things that everybody else in the audience is against ,like peace and justice and brotherhood and so on.

Also, consider these two contradictory points from the same article:

1. Generation Y doesn't read books. Well, a lot of people aren't reading books these days. However, one should always factor in the following: technology is very important to Generation Y.

2. it is young adults who are the most likely to say they will use libraries in the future when they encounter problems: 40% of Gen Y said they would do that, compared with 20% of those above age 30 who say they would go to a library."

One assumes all those older than Gen Y are not using the library because they are still reading their tarot cards - or could it be the oldies have discovered the Internet