Pop-Aholic: Get off my lawn, you hipsters
Julian Runcan
Issue date: 12/2/08 Section: Opinion
Recently at my work, a new associate was hired that was born in 1993. Being born in 1986, I quickly realized that a large generational gap exists between us, despite the relatively short time period. A lot has happened in that gap.
Someone born in 1993 wasn't alive while Tim Burton was at the head of the Batman franchise. They would have no real memory of the Toronto Blue Jays as World Series champions. Saddest of all, they will not have experienced a world where Raul Julia and Kurt Cobain were even alive. How is anyone supposed to relate to these people?
They have no conception of Chris O'Donnell. It is unlikely that generation has seen Ghostbusters. Their only real understanding of Tom Selleck is from either Friends or as James Caan's replacement on Las Vegas. To them, Will Smith and George Clooney have always been movie stars. Every drawing in their animated features is done by a computer.
I can vividly remember when Toy Story came out. Leading up to it, there were television specials explaining many of the intricacies of computer animation. It was over my head. I watched in amazement, knowing I had never seen a movie like it. Since, that type of animation has taken over at the box-office and down the line it will be the only type of animation kids know about. These days, about half of children's television programs are done with 3D computer animation. The current version of Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse is computer animated, which is tragic on each of the three dimensions.
The 1993-born were three when the Nintendo 64 was launched in North America. I spent my first half-hour with the system trying to learn how to use a joystick instead of directional pad. My generation must be the only one that dealt with that issue. Those dustier than I would've known from the Atari 2600 or the arcade, and younger kids have always had joysticks on their new-fangled systems.
No longer "young", I will have to assume a more crotchety role in society. I will demand rambunctious kids get off of my lawn, berating them for the corruption "Wheelies" have brought upon their generation. I will remember the lower prices I paid for goods and the honest days where dollar stores wouldn't even consider charging $1.25 for a beverage. It is a heavy mantle, but I believe I am ready it.
Someone born in 1993 wasn't alive while Tim Burton was at the head of the Batman franchise. They would have no real memory of the Toronto Blue Jays as World Series champions. Saddest of all, they will not have experienced a world where Raul Julia and Kurt Cobain were even alive. How is anyone supposed to relate to these people?
They have no conception of Chris O'Donnell. It is unlikely that generation has seen Ghostbusters. Their only real understanding of Tom Selleck is from either Friends or as James Caan's replacement on Las Vegas. To them, Will Smith and George Clooney have always been movie stars. Every drawing in their animated features is done by a computer.
I can vividly remember when Toy Story came out. Leading up to it, there were television specials explaining many of the intricacies of computer animation. It was over my head. I watched in amazement, knowing I had never seen a movie like it. Since, that type of animation has taken over at the box-office and down the line it will be the only type of animation kids know about. These days, about half of children's television programs are done with 3D computer animation. The current version of Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse is computer animated, which is tragic on each of the three dimensions.
The 1993-born were three when the Nintendo 64 was launched in North America. I spent my first half-hour with the system trying to learn how to use a joystick instead of directional pad. My generation must be the only one that dealt with that issue. Those dustier than I would've known from the Atari 2600 or the arcade, and younger kids have always had joysticks on their new-fangled systems.
No longer "young", I will have to assume a more crotchety role in society. I will demand rambunctious kids get off of my lawn, berating them for the corruption "Wheelies" have brought upon their generation. I will remember the lower prices I paid for goods and the honest days where dollar stores wouldn't even consider charging $1.25 for a beverage. It is a heavy mantle, but I believe I am ready it.
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