The aspect of my self that I chose to explore with this piece was my being part of what is known as Generation Y or Millennials. Like many or most of the students in this class I was born in the early 90's and have lived through the burgeoning of the information age. My fellow Millennials are often referred to as the natives, because in a world where technology and information culture have become so important, we are the first generation to grow up with computers in our homes. Because of this, we are often represented in media as a group that is extremely tech-savvy. We are known for our use of social media, our obsession with communication and being connected, and our consumption of electronic media such as online music, videos, video games etc. I have definitely been influenced by this culture, and though there are aspects of it I find disagreeable, as there would be in all cultures, I do not dislike this culture in general. The truth is however, that I have never felt comfortable with the majority of the technology that has emerged or technological advances that have taken place during my lifetime. Not that I fear or hate them, I simply have not felt that I was included in them. I somehow seem to have navigated my life without receiving whatever orientation the majority of us Millennials have received. I simply don't understand, don't know how to use, and haven't participated in the majority of the technological phenomena that is associated with my generation.
I've never used iTunes to download music. I'm not sure if it's free or if you have to pay or if you need some special software or an account or whatever to do so. I have most often collected the music I wanted to listen to by purchasing CD's at music stores. Occasionally, I have collected songs by using a tape recorder to record music off the radio or off of other's computer speakers.
Videogames are a huge part of our culture. I however, have only ever owned a Super-Nintendo, and that was a long time ago. I have played Guitar Hero a few times and I am terrible at it. I play the actual guitar, and I love old-timer blues and folk music. My personal guitar hero is Mississippi John Hurt. I might feel more drawn to that game if that was the kind of music the players pretended to perform, or I might just prefer to play the music in real life.
I have never had an iPod. Well, a friend gave me one that I tried to use but it broke. Throughout high school I carried a portable cd player and my cd collection with me from class to class. I recognize that iPods are more practical, easier, and safer to use, but I don't know how to use them.
I probably have inherited this technological retardation from my mother, who despite being extremely intelligent, has never mastered the use of a VCR. Another possible explanation is the fact that I grew up in a very small rural-idaho town. Whatever the reason, I accept this part of myself. It is not always convenient and I sometimes wish I was a little more clued in, but then I realize that it's not really that big a deal. I know I broke some rules by including texts that were created after I was born, but I kind of had to for my subject.
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