Feeling old?

Beloit College in Wisconsin has released a Mindset List every year for many years. The list outlines a picture of the world as those now entering university know it.

For instance, do you realise that for the class of 2010, those 18 year olds starting university in the US this year, the Soviet Union has never existed? In their lifetime, bar codes have always been on everything, from library cards to retail items. As far as they know, Phantom of the Opera has always been on Broadway. They’ve never known a time when ‘reality’ TV hasn’t been on the small screen. They have always been able to watch wars and revolutions live on television.

To their understanding Disneyland has always been in Europe and Asia, non-denominational mega-churches have always been the fastest growing religious organisations in the U.S. and professional athletes have always competed in the Olympics.

The current list is interesting but try going through their past lists and get even more scared as you realise that they’re talking about people older than 18.

I feel older already.

Posted by Rodney Olsen

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About the author

Rodney Olsen

Rodney is a husband, father, cyclist, blogger and podcaster from Perth Western Australia.

He has worked in radio at Perth's media ministry Sonshine for over 25 years and has previously worked at ministries such as Compassion Australia and Bible Society.

The views he expresses here are his own.

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1 Comment

  • i read thru the midset list for the class of 2002 (that’s my brother’s age, 2 years younger than me). i think they make a few assumptions on the lists that aren’t true. for instance “most have never seen a tv set with only 13 channels or have no idea what life without a remote control is like” most people i know had those tvs well into the ’80s, including us, and i’m sure my brother can remember that. there’s several things on the list like that. some of the world events that they wouldn’t have been around for (or were VERY young) is interesting though.

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