Attention spoiled brats

When I was a graduate student, a decision was made to alter the core curriculum, dramatically reducing the number of required classes. Having completed those requirements, some of us were miffed. A meeting of concerned students was convened. After several students had spoken against the changes, a 1st year student rose to explain why it made sense. She began by talking about why her class was the most accomplished, with the highest Test scores in the history of The school. In her mind, this entitled a relaxing of the rules. As a representative of the smartest class in the history of the school, it wasn't a smart argument.

The truth is that every new generation has access to information and technology that previous generations didn't. This isn't the same thing as wisdom and it doesn't entitle you to anything.

So here is a harsh news flash to young people: you are not anymore special than any other demographic. You have potential, but you have not accomplished anything. The people who came before you know stuff you don't. You don't deserve a job. If you are lucky enough to get one, you won't get to decide when you work or what you work on. That's true of CEOs and it's true of you, too.

I honestly believe that the self-esteem movement and the coddling of young people has ruined them. Life is hard. If more people were honest about that in preparing and mentoring young people, maybe there wouldn't be so many scarred when they are confronted by reality. Maybe we wouldn't have so many people hooked on narcotics trying to escape the World.