Talking 'Bout My Generation

PORK AND BEANS

2008-05-30T14:58:00.000-07:00

Every once in a while, an amazing music video comes around that breathes new life into an ever-dwindling industry. These videos inspire creativity, innovation, and just plain fun. More importantly, they directly reflect on the cultural sentiment of their time, whether it be Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Blink 182's "What's My Age Again?", or OK GO's "Here it Goes Again". Weezer's latest masterpiece "Pork and Beans" is pure genius. A combination of all of our favorite YouTube memes, this video highlights the absurdity that consumes so much of our everyday lives. I could not love it more. It's pure camp. Its a viral video vision. And its great.

ABORTION ART REVEALED

2008-04-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today I heard one of the single most despicable stories of my adult life. One college student Aliza Shvarts of Yale reported that she has completed her senior art project on a series of SELF-INDUCED ABORTIONS taking place over the course of 9 months. Initially, I was overwhelmed with a sense of shock and horror. Why would someone do this? Shvarts claims she did it in a way to incite discussions about the relationship of the human body, art, and governmental control. Regardless of her reasoning, this has "publicity stunt" written all over it. It is my personal analysis that this sad girl has created an elaborate hoax that the media was quick to jump on for its sensationalistic value. Observe my skepticism--

LIE #1: CONCEPTION.
Shvarts claims she received sperm from donor classmates and friends. She does not claim to have had sex with these boys, but instead to have implanted the sperm herself. Basically, home-grown artificial insemination. Really. She collected their sperm and was able to transport it to her uterus at the precise time of her ovulation. With what resources? Even the most basic "turkey-baster" method only has about a 10-15% success rate (according to wikipedia), and that's only if inserting the sperm immediately after its collection as it can only survive a few short hours in the open air.

LIE #2: "SELF-INDUCED MISCARRIAGE"
Even if Shvarts was able to get pregnant like she claimed, how she managed to continually abort it without the help of a medical professional is quite a mystery. Shvarts claims to have used so-called "abortifacient drugs," which is just one way of saying a series of herbal concoctions thought to bring about a miscarriage despite any actual medical evidence or endorcement from the FDA. Any legitimate drugs like Mifegyne(of as much as 600mg) would need to be administered by a licensed clinician and would not be available as a method of self-abortion.

LIE #3: HER HEALTH.
So say we give her the pregnancy, and the ability to self-abort it by getting her hands on some unauthorized perscription drugs, how does she explain the complete lack of concern for her own health and well-being. Such procedures and extreme perscription drug-use would have serious implications for her health, especially repeated numerous times over a relatively short series of 9 months. Side effects include serious vaginal bleeding, nausea, vomitting, and even Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Often times drugs don't allow for a complete abortion, which would require her to see a doctor immediately to stabilize her condition. At least 8 women in the US alone have died from such drugs since 2000.

How exactly does she explain these things? That she got lucky? That her little 'science experiment/art project' was worth endangering her own life and destroying that of a "life" she herself created. Seems a little fishy to me. Either she's got a seriously malpracticed Doctor at her beck and call, or this story seems a little washed up.

So what DO we know about this "Abortion Art"?

That it includes photos of her cramping and bleeding. Any woman knows regular menstruation includes these things.

That it includes her real blood mixed with vaseline for preservation (EW). She could easily collect her monthly menstruation (as disgusting as THAT is) and use it to represent whatever it is she's trying to show.

Bottom line, we have NO proof of the pregnancy, NO proof of what drugs she used or that they actually produced her miscarriages, and NO medical documentation what-so-ever to back up her claims.

Instead all we have is the sad ramblings of a sick girl who really has no understanding or sympathy of what it really feels like to go through a miscarriage. Really, its just disgustingly sad. This is a traumatic thing that thousands of women suffer from each year, and for her to exploit it in such an irresponsible and distasteful manner...I just don't know what else to say.

**UPDATE** Just a few short hours after I could get my skeptical response posted, Yale Spokewoman Helaine Klasky issued a statement that clearly confirms my initial suspicion:

Statement by Helaine S. Klasky — Yale University, Spokesperson
New Haven, Conn. — April 17, 2008

Ms. Shvarts is engaged in performance art. Her art project includes visual representations, a press release and other narrative materials. She stated to three senior Yale University officials today, including two deans, that she did not impregnate herself and that she did not induce any miscarriages. The entire project is an art piece, a creative fiction designed to draw attention to the ambiguity surrounding form and function of a woman’s body.

She is an artist and has the right to express herself through performance art.

Had these acts been real, they would have violated basic ethical standards and raised serious mental and physical health concerns.

***UPDATE #2*** This girl is ridiculous. Svarts is refuting the claims of Yale Spokewoman Helaine Klasky, going further to attempt to offer some explanation for the exaction questions I raised above. She's standing behind her hoax to gain even more publicity. This passage is particularly telling:

"From the 9th to the 15th day of my menstrual cycle, the fabricators would provide me with sperm samples, which I used to privately self-inseminate. Using a needleless syringe, I would inject the sperm near my cervix within 30 minutes of its collection, so as to insure the possibility of fertilization. On the 28th day of my cycle, I would ingest an abortifacient, after which I would experience cramps and heavy bleeding."

I would just like to note that the 28th day coincides with the date of normal menstruation. She goes on to ADMIT that there is no proof (even for HER) that she was ever pregnant in the first place:

"Because the miscarriages coincide with the expected date of menstruation (the 28th day of my cycle), it remains ambiguous whether there was ever a fertilized ovum or not. The reality of the pregnancy, both for myself and for the audience, is a matter of reading."

Now this last bit just made me furiously angry at her pretentiousness. AMBIGUOUS? There's nothing ambiguous about it you self-important harpy. You fabricated this whole mess to gain notoriety, and made damn sure no one could refute your claims scientifically. WHAT IS YOUR POINT? That there is no way of telling the difference between regular period blood and that of a miscarriage, aside from the language assigned? You ignorant sick sad little girl. Learn some respect. The difference lies within the traumatic experience of those who go through a miscarriage, who knew unequivocally that they were pregnant and accepted their new fate as a mom, and to have all that ripped from them in one tragic moment. How dare you exploit that for your own personal gains. Its simply reprehensible.

I apologize for that last bit. This topic certainly insights passionate discourse. I strongly feel that this topic is relevant to our generation though. Fortunately for me, we have been blessed with the right to choose. The right to control the fate of our own bodies. But people have been trying to take this away for years. And to have one of our own fuel the fires of anti-abortionist claims is really devastating on so many levels.

ALLURE OF THE AVATAR

2008-01-25T15:48:00.000-08:00

Maybe its me, maybe its everyone, but it seems to me that the appeal of having an online representation of what you are in real life has a real allure to it. The Avatar. It comes in many forms and a person can have many different avatars. I have one for yahoo fantasy sports. One for my Nintendo Wii at home. I have random ones and ones that are just fun to have. We do so many things online these days where you could be anyone, but we refuse to give up our sense of identity. The way that we distinguish ourselves from the masses of other people surfing the net has importance to us, and in a world where you never know where your real pics will end up (I've known a few people to have their photo identity stolen via myspace and facebook), its nice to have a representation of you and your characteristics. Some people like funky avatars that express their interests, some people like to take on whole new personas. Myself, I just like to make "Mini-Me's" (like so many other people) that bear my same characteristics or that represent my interests (ie, in a tv show, etc.). Sure, there's a great deal of vanity involved in the whole process, but for me, it's also a lot of fun. It's all about customization and control, being able to express yourself in anyway possible. So, here's to some of my Avatars. My little pack of Megans. They're ready to take you down:

Why Obama?

2008-01-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I have been and will continue to be a huge BARACK OBAMA supporter. I have donated to his campaign (which is entirely grassroots as he will accept no money from lobbyist with a personal agenda) and have recommended him as a candidate to practically everyone that I know (and some that I don't). But why? People always ask me WHY OBAMA? Why not Hilary or Edwards? Well, I would like to break down my reasons for you simply, but for a more in depth (and much more eloquent) argument, please take the time to read this lengthy and informative article from The Atlantic's December issue entitled "Goodbye to All That" but noted author Andrew Sullivan. I assure you, it won't disappoint. Now, on to my Cliff's Notes version...

REASONS WHY BARACK OBAMA MAKES THE BEST POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE:

#1)His image is iconic. Imagine yourself as a 15-year-old Iraqi boy. All you've known your whole life is your hate and contempt for a nation bred of ignorant old white men. But in 2008, you turn on your tv to see Barack Hussein Obama, a light-skinned black man elected President of the US. Everything you thought you knew about America changes in that very instant.

#2)He is real. When Obama takes a stance on something, you can tell he truly believes it. He isn't afraid to say the opposite of what others are expecting to hear. He doesn't do things simply because he knows he should to be liked or get elected, he does things because he believes in those things. He didn't not wear his American flag lapel pin because he wasn't patriotic...instead he chose to exhibit the qualities and actions of a true patriot and not simply rely on patriotic symbols to make him look good. He remains to be the only candidate who openly opposed the War in Iraq from its very beginning, but as Obama himself argued "I don't oppose all wars...what I'm opposed to is a dumb war."

#3) He is smart. There is no good way to illustrate the intelligence and wit of this man in a brief paragraph. The best advice I can give you is to listen and to read. He's taken the time to carefully lay out his plans for attacking America's biggest issues, and anyone can observe those to find a thoughtfulness and understanding that is unmatched by the other candidates in my opinion. He doesn't just say what needs to be done, but how to get it done, and why his way will work.

#4) He is humble. It's difficult to be in a position of running for public office, where everyday you are selling yourself, and still come off with a strong sense of self-effacement. While he does hold himself in high regard, he still is able to openly admit his flaws, but he doesn't bow down from them. Rather he uses them to humanize himself and overall strenthen his own character. He does not think himself better than any other, and he presents himself as a representative of the masses rather than someone born special to lead them. He is truly a man of the people, for the people. He is one of the few people to acknowledge that nothing is free from adaptation and susceptibility to change, not even one's faith.

#5) He is hopeful. He has not been jaded by the cruel realities of politics that come from years of failures in the Senate and elsewhere, and he is not afraid of the staunch Right-wing conservatives who stand in his way. While he has been living a political life for many years now, he has managed to stay predominantly out of the harsh crossfire and has delivered tangible results. His successful work in Illinois can be clearly noted. Sure, he is young and idealistic, but we must truly ask ourselves if this is such a bad thing. Believing is seeing results, afterall. I'd rather have someone that tried and failed than to hardly try at all.

#6) He is young. I myself am young, and I can appreciate someone that comes from a similar perspective. As much respect as I have for Hilary, she is simply an old woman. The key here really comes from the polarizing characteristics of the baby boom generation. Are you a hippie, or are you a conservative? It is from these beginnings that our nation has become so polarized by Red state and Blue state divisions. Obama, as he has said many times, represents the UNITED STATES, and he is the first candidate to refuse to cater to any inherent polarization of this nation. Moreover, he is the favored Democrat among Republicans and Independants alike, mostly because our younger generation is not so quick to apply one label to ourselves. We all wear many hats.

#7) He knows and believes in himself. A man of such humble and astonishing characteristics that truly believes in what he is doing and what he is capable of is simply a strong leader. We saw it in the Kennedys and Martin Luther King Jr., among countless others. Beyond his own charisma and eloquent speech, it is his way of getting others to believe in what he believes in that is so important. He acknowledges that in general, people "were satisfied as long as you were courteous and smiled and made no sudden moves. They were more than satisfied; they were relieved—such a pleasant surprise to find a well-mannered young black man who didn’t seem angry all the time." He uses that to his advantage, foregoing impulse and instead relying on rational thought and in-depth knowledge to aid him in decision-making.

It is for these reasons that I strongly contend that Illinois Jr. Senator BARACK OBAMA would make the best president in 2008.

ALL HOLLYWOOD ACTRESSES LOOK THE SAME

2007-12-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

Perfectly styled wavy hair. Straight shiny white smiles. Perfect lips. Sparkling deeply shadowed eyes. Chiselled features. Thin frame.

Am I crazy, or are all hollywood actresses starting to look the same these days?? They each come in with their own variation of the hollywood look, then within the year they're morphed into the hollywood barbie doll, with interchangable hair color and designer clothes. There's simply no diversity. I'm not talking about race diversity, as Halle Berry, Salma Hayek, Lucy Liu, and most other "racially diverse" actors all easily fit into this same mold. Rather, I'm talking about size, shape, age, and just feature diversity in GENERAL. I mean, how many actresses can you think of that don't photograph in this same way? Sure, there's the occassional Jennifer Hudson or Nikki Blonsky thrown into the mix, but they're famous for being different and were made famous in the first place because the role they played called for a specific type of woman that just wouldn't work otherwise.

We look to hollywood to represent our world. We flock to the "based on a true story" films and relate to the romantic comedies and horror films because we believe that they COULD maybe be real. The movie world is supposed to represent a little slice of our real world, developed on screen. When you break it down, its ridiculous. How many 5'2 size 00 girls with the perfect bust, waist, nose, bone structure, and hair do you know? Not many I would guess, and if you do, I would be willing to bet, they're working actresses of the industry. Real women just don't look like that! Not to say that these woman aren't real themselves, but most have so much makeup and plastic surgery (not to mention how many must starve themselves to be that thin) that they hardly even resemble the girl that broke onto the screen in the first place. Now, I expect the argument that the public goes to movies to be entertained and they only want to look at something appealing to the eye, blah blah blah. I'm not saying go out of the way to put ugly women on the screen (although, would that kill us really?), I'm just saying allow those average looking, average sized women, to be represented. Its ludicrous to think talented, attractive, size 8, 5'6 women don't exist in the industry. They're being kept out on purpose because of the way they look!

We put so much pressure on young girls to live up to this unattainable standard of beauty if all they ever see growing up are these gorgeous and thin women on the screen. We need to prove to them that there is more out there, and that, regardless of their shape, size, or features, they can do and be anything they desire. Its great that we have role models like Jennifer Hudson and Rosie O'Donnell, but we need more. Its not just about the fat girls, or the gay girls, or the outcast girls. It needs to be about ALL girls. We owe that to them. Why can't we have more women that look like Bridget Jones in romantic comedies? Is it so ludicrous that these women could find love? Why not have Jennifer Hudson starring in a movie like "The Devil Wears Prada." Is it so ridiculous to think that she could be a struggling professional?
This topic wouldn't be so infuriating to me if it wasn't a wholistically one-sided issue. You have men of ALL different shapes and sizes with varying degrees of fame. Ugly, fat, short, bald, just plain odd-looking, they're all there. Sometimes they even have ALL these characteristics in one (Danny De'Vito anyone?). But it doesn't MATTER for men. For women, we're allowed ONE negative characteristic, assuming all other degrees of aesthetic perfection are in place. Sure, Helena Bonham Carter is one odd-looking cookie, but she's thin with perfect teeth and bone structure like all the others. Sure, Sarah Jessica Parker isn't the most gorgeous woman on the planet, but she's thin and tiny and has great style and takes care of herself well. Sure Mandy Moore is super tall and a size 8 or 10, but she's gorgeous, with perfect hair, smile, and facial structure like all the rest. We're allowed one variation, one deviant while the men in this industry are granted full on amnesty. If a man is a good performer, a good entertainer, a good comedian, a good actor, well, you're in, regardless of your appearance or age. But not women. Why not women? I'm not hating on these female actresses above. On the contrary, I commend them for making it through the red tape set up before them. I just wish we could allow just a little more diversity through, you know? It just makes me sad.

Take a look at some of Hollywood's most popular leading men and tell me that most of these guys aren't at least a little bit odd-looking. But we love them anyway. I wish we could say the same for our women.

OBAMA IN LA

2007-12-12T10:44:00.000-08:00

Top (for me at least) US Presidential candidate, Senator Barack Obama spoke Monday evening before a cheering crowd in Los Angeles at the Gibson Ampitheatre. In true LA fashion, his appearance was heralded first with performances by Hollywood entertainers like Nick Cannon, James Whitmore, Ne-Yo, Kal Penn, and the Goo Goo Dolls.

To be honest, the whole experience was a bit surreal. I have been a huge Obama supporter since reading his book "The Audacity of Hope" earlier this year (a book that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone concerned with the future of American political policy). There is something about the young Harvard educated Senator and noted community activist from Illinois that is simply unlike any other political leader of our generation. He has the charisma and youthful idealism of a KENNEDY, a political saavy and intelligence of say a ROOSEVELT, and an eloquence and sense of social equality of DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. himself. Most importantly, I believe him. I believe HE BELIEVES in what he's saying. It's not just about his politics, about what he will and won't do for this country as president, but more so about who he is and what he represents for all Americans in this country.

Sitting in my bleacher chair, watching him speak close enough to hit him with a bottle cap (my dad's favorite measure of distance), I was forced into a state of stunned reverence for the man before me. Someone I truly believe to be acting not just in the interest of his own professional mobility, but for the betterment of a country he believes in and its citizens he has sworn to help. No political leader is perfect, everyone is human after all. Sure, anyone could find criticisms of this man like any other man or woman (he's too young, he's too inexperienced, he's too idealistic, he's black, his middle name is "hussein"), but one simply cannot argue with his eloquence. He has a way of saying what we all feel and proposing logical and presumably feasible solutions for change, and again, I believe him. I believe in him. Probably in a way women felt hearing Susan B. Anthony speak in the late 1890's or the way segregated African Americans felt in the 1960's listening to Dr. King. Is America ready for him? I cannot be sure, but I do know that regardless of the outcome of this election, Sen. Barack Obama will continue to make waves in this country for many many years to come.

Check out one of my favorite excerpts of Obama's motivational speech below:

80'S TOON-TASTIC!!

2007-11-19T17:01:00.001-08:00

What is it about 80's and early 90's cartoons that gets people of my generation all worked up about?

Any mention of Fraggle Rock, Duck Tales, Chip&Dale Rescue Rangers, etc. will send nearly any millennial (myself included) into a "Talespin" (pun intended) of a full chorus theme song rendition.
(GUMMI BEARS...BOUNCING HERE AND THERE AND EVERYWHERE...)

Aside from those mentioned above, I was an avid watcher of such classic 80's toons as My Little Ponies, Muppet Babies, Animaniacs, and all of those classic "Nick Toons" (Doug, Rugrats, Ren & Stimpy, Rocco's Mondern Life, AAAH! Real Monsters...you get the drift). It wasn't all half hour cartoons that caught our attention either. I was a big fan of the movie versions of toons as well, Rainbow Brite being a classic fave. He-Man Master of the Universe and She-Ra Princess of Power were pretty high on my list as well. Perhaps one of my most beloved tv toon movies was "The Chipmunk Adventure", where Alvin and the gang challenge the Chipettes to a hot air balloon race around the world (Who could ever forget the Wooly-Bully scene???).
It seems that many studios and production companies have gotten wise to the cash-cow potential of these nostalgia-producing toons (as we simply cannot help but be drawn to the toons of our past). The recent box office successes of 80's toon remakes TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and megahit TRANSFORMERS seem be just the tip of the iceberg of many toon-inspired movies to come. Later this year we will see the release of a NEW chipmunk movie (making use of new technologies through a combination of live-action and computer generated graphics) ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS(with the original voices!). Most recently, MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (2009) has popped up on IMDB, clearly illustrating that a serious HE-MAN movie is in the works. Even FRAGGLE ROCK: THE MOVIE has been announced by the Jim Henson company, also for 2009.

Oh man, I don't know about this...but I'll definitely pay to see it in the theatre b/c I loved them so. Damn you nostalgia. How cute is Theodore btw?

DISCOVERING DALI

2007-11-09T11:17:00.000-08:00

Now through February 10th of next year, you can see the original works of famed and controversial Spanish artist Salvador Dalí at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Dalí's displayed works in this exhibit are some of the most breathtaking and intricate pieces of art, showcasing the brilliant surrealist mind of a man far ahead of his time. Among his more famous paintings, the exhibit also focuses on Dalí's dalliances with film. If you make it to this exhibit, you must be sure to catch the short film "Destino," a modern completion of Dalí's original collaboration with Walt Disney himself, which is nothing short of amazing in and of itself. I was so taken by the short film, that I watched it twice before continuing on through the exhibit.
Dalí is certainly one of my favorite artists. His detail and use of color mixed in with his twisted and often disturbing images make his work fascinating indeed. I cannot emphasize enough that if you get the chance to check out this exhibit, you absolutely must. Its one thing to view a print of his designs, but to actually get in there and see the color and detail in the actual oil, its incredible.

Many people feel that my generation has no appreciate for the classical elements of culture. To many, all we care about is rap music and the internet. Such is not the case. Young people today can still get the same joy and overwhelming sense of awe and unworthiness at a classically created work of art. We can appreciate all types of culture for what they are and what they have helped to accomplish for all of us. The eccentric Dalí himself influenced the way people think about art and entertainment, helping to pave the way for many artists and filmmakers to come.

GUITAR HEROIN

2007-11-07T16:04:00.000-08:00

I am ADDICTED to the new Guitar Hero III. I don't even own the game, but my boyfriend's roommate does for XBOX 360, and let me tell you, its great. I spent the better part of Sunday afternoon in "Career Mode" because I wanted to make money to buy my own character, outfit, and guitar (what? I am a girl after all...that's my girl, the new and improved Casey Lynch pictured). The problem was...I couldn't stop. I just kept going and going. I made all kinds of money and was able to buys lots of fun styles for my person and others, plus lots of cool guitars. After a few hours I was down to the last section. Darn you Metallica!! My fingers started cramping up and I had to quit. I now have a twitch in my right shoulder. I beat Tom Morello and Slash, but for now, the Devil has won the battle, but I'll be back... don't you worry about that.

Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, the last of the Activision Guitar Hero series, debuted Sunday, October 28th and has already made over $115 million its first week in North America alone, making it the highest opening-week selling game in Activision's history. This release also marked the first time the game was available for the Nintendo Wii, showing that the trend towards "active gaming" will most likely continue.

Check out this sweet commercial for the game above.

There's a GUITAR HEROine in me for sure. I just need more practice :)

WRITERS ON STRIKE: DAY 3

2007-11-07T13:17:00.000-08:00

Writers on Strike outside Warner Bros Studios in Burbank

SO THE WRITERS STRUCK, and we're already starting to experience the after effects. Almost all talk shows went into immediate shutdown, including those of Jay Leno and David Letterman. Some remain in production, like Ellen, but without their key opening monologues. Shows like THE DAILY SHOW and THE COLBERT REPORT were also forced to shutdown indefinitely. On the insider track, some of these late night shows have already given out their 2 weeks notice to their employees, saying if the strike continues past November 19th, then they're out of the job. On the opposite end of the spectrum, showrunners like Jon Stewart of The Daily Show have promised to continue paying their writers for at least two weeks while they remain on strike, a noble promise indeed. Numerous celebrity writers can be found on the front of the picket lines like Tina Fey herself of 30 ROCK, and even other celebrities have shown their faces on the lines in support of the writers, delivering pizzas and water for all to see. Most shows remain in production, as many writers struggled to get in their final script deliveries before the strike. Its expected that normal production will continue through the end of November before coming to a sharp halt. Still, many shows have been hit with some curveballs like drivers refusing to cross the picket lines and actors refusing to act. All of these factors will continue to make it difficult for production to run smoothly. The strike is making news nationwide, and even leading democratic presidential candidates BARACK OBAMA and HILLARY CLINTON have stepped forward to lend their voice in support of the writers on strike. One cannot be sure how long the strike will continue and how badly we will all be affected...only time will tell.

I support the writers in their fight. Emerging Media is a booming business and its only fair that writers should recieve some compensation for their work that is so freely distributed online as streams and downloads, on mobile devices, and on DVD.

It's great to see people sacrificing and standing up for what they believe in for once. Go Writers!! Now if only people were so animated about the WAR...

Hit NBC Show "The Office" On Strike

OPEN LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF "THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER"

2007-11-06T17:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Editor,

I found the article in the November 6, 2007 issue of the HR about "Hollywood's Top 35 Executives 35 and Under" to be an inaccurate depiction of the entertainment executive community. It is a huge editing oversight to only represent those executives of predominantly Caucasian descent. There is simply no diversity represented in the article at all. This is particularly troublesome since the article's whole focus is on the "Next Generation," and something this young and hip generation strives for more than anything is universal appeal and the representation of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. In an industry where shows like Ugly Betty, Lost, Aliens in America, Cane, K-Ville, etc continue to flourish, it is simply unbelievable to consider even for a second that there is no one of African American, Hispanic, Asian, or any other background that is noteworthy enough for this list. I just request that more consideration is placed on the issue of diversity in the future so that people from all different walks of life can receive the acknowledgement they deserve.

Sincerely,
Girl of the Next Gen

**FOR THE RECORD: I was in no way eligible for recognition in the article as I am not technically an "executive," nor am I of any particular ethnic background. I was offended by this article simply because it is offensive to my generation in general to represent us as "lily white" as this article would seem.**

ENTERTAINMENT AS NEWS, NEWS AS ENTERTAINMENT

2007-10-17T14:03:00.000-07:00

Man oh man, do we love our entertainment news. Lohan, fresh out or rehab, seen entering a club with her new beau, a fellow addict and previously engaged man. Spears booked for her hit and run at a local LA police station.

These are the things that make the top news stories these days. Why? Because people watch it. People are fascinated by it. These people don't care to hear about how many of their fellow countryman died yesterday in the Iraq war, or whether the 1915 massacre of the Armenians was ruled a Genocide, or even how women's health rates have declined across most US States. These things aren't funny or entertaining like celebrity news stories. On the contrary, they're problematic and disconcerting.

This isn't to say that people don't care about these issues. Such is not the case, but the complacent American public, in general, seems more content to leave these bigger issues up to the policiticians to report on and resolve, while they kick back and turn up Entertainment Tonight.

CNN, MSNBC, and FOX NEWS reports on Paris Hilton

Still, you might be surprised by how much these young purveyors of culture actually do keep up on what's going on beyond the gossip. Sure their primary news source isn't CSPAN or MSNBC (who continually headline these same celebrity stories that comprise the gossip mags), but rather Comedy Central. Yep, you heard me right. If people want entertainment news, well then give them news thats entertaining. Shows like "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and "The Colbert Report" ultimately serve as major world and national news sources of my generation.

Through all the witty banter and political jeers, a kind of real authentic news sources does emerge. Lately, its not uncommon to hear discussions of General Petraus's report before Congress or the rise in value of the canadian dollar over its US counterpart. These are serious military and economic issues that took the forefront of the young american consciousness primarily through these "fake news" stations. Sure, we love to laugh at Fox News' depiction of lapel-pin-free Obama as "anti-american," but its more about laughing at the absurdity of politics in general while soaking in the basis for major political issues. The difficulty here, and the reason this form of "fake news" thrives, is that my generation values authenticity and politics are anything but. It may seem like an oxymoron for an authenticity-loving generation to turn to a "fake news" network, but it makes practical sense. The shows themselves and their commentators, the great Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart, are able to mock themselves and their shows, they don't have the stiff effrontery of their real news counterparts; therein lies its authentic value. We can laugh at the absurdity, the apparently insanity of it all, while still getting our daily information dose.

THE MUSIC IN ME

2007-10-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

Music is a huge part of this generation, that much is certain. However, most people think we only target the hottest hippest songs, whichever genre we may prefer. In fact, I would say we have a pretty strong appreciation for the classics of all kinds, whether it be classic rock songs, folk tunes, and other "music of our parents." Its all surprisingly big. If you don't believe me, play any Journey song at a party with 20-somethings; they'll go nuts for sure. Phil Collins, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Fleetwood Mac, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Johnny Cash. Believe it or not, we like it all and more.

Nostalgia plays a huge role for us, I think. We grew up listening to the music of our parents before we were able to discover our own music and our own expression, and that exposure at such a young age certainly influences our taste and makes an overall impact on our lives. Its not always about what new song is blasting on the radio or bumping in the club. Check out any millennial's ipod. You'll certainly find a plethora of songs there that you never even expected. A good male friend of mine even has a "Barbie Girl" techno remix amid his collection of cold war kids, kanye west, and early 90's compilation cds. For us, its all about diversity and choice, a mixture of the old and new, the eclectic and the expected.

So what sparked this rant? Well, while hanging out with my usual gang, something just clicked. We started the evening with the traditional Texas Hold'Em Tournament (to which I spanked 5 guys in 20 minutes, a boast-worthy victory indeed), then graduated to a rousing game of beer pong on the millennial hand-crafted table in the middle of the living room. But somewhere between games of Beer Pong, as alternating tunes from Guitar Hero provided our soundtrack, and a rousing porch-side political debate, something shifted. Matt, a law student friend of mine, who is interestingly enough a gifted self-taught pianist, began banging out some familiar tunes on the piano. Slowly but surely we all gravitated to the back wall, where the white and black keys were in full fury with "Piano Man." And before we even knew what had happened, we all started to sing.
These aren't nerdy guys. These aren't weird guys. They're just your everyday beer-drinking, sports-watching dudes. And they had a sing-along. Without skipping a beat or with the slightest hesitation, we sang. Not one song, but many songs...flipping furiously through the pages of the classic rock "fake" book, exclaiming, "can you do this one?" and "oh man, this song is great! play that one!"

My Millenial Friends engaging in another impromptu sing-a-long at our Halloween party.

These are the things research will never show you. These are things that the mountains of statistics can never indicate or even imply. Just when you think you've got this audience all figured out, we'll surprise you in the most interesting of ways. That is what makes this generation so great.

THE CULT OF FANTASY FOOTBALL

2007-10-09T18:09:00.000-07:00

I've never felt the need for internet on my cell phone so much as when I drafted my first Fantasy Football Team. Now usually I try my best to actually sit my bum down in front of the tv (or multiple tv's at a sportsbar if its a particularly eventful Sunday), but every now and then I find myself having to be elsewhere when a game is on and man, do I get antsy. STATS, STATS, NEED STATS!! Did Romo throw another interception? Is Maroney playing? How's Washington's D holding up? Did my boy just score a touchdown? You gotta let me know!!

Fantasy football really revolutionizes the way you view the games, and the internet has certainly revolutionized how fantasy games are played. Yahoo! Fantasy Sports has this amazing thing called StatTracker where you can follow your players live online. This is key, as the NFL has some shady deal with DirectTV, so unless you've got their NFL Sunday Ticket at $300 a pop, you're not getting to watch most games at all.

One little trick I've found (sans internet on my phone) is GOOGLE SMS. Did you know you can text the word "GOOGLE" practically anything, and it'll send you a text back (standard messaging rates apply) almost instantly? Philadelphia Eagles Score. Boom, there it is in a flash. Info at the push of a button, anytime, anywhere, that's the Millennial way.

While Fantasy Sports are by no means an activity played by all, it certainly has a huge following, particularly in the 20-something crowd. Football, Baseball, Basketball, even Hockey and Golf. Its all about control, customization, knowledge-based skill, and ole fashioned good luck. You know, getting involved. Its not just about watching sports anymore, its about playing along. It keeps us on the cutting edge. Plus, who doesn't like a friendly competition among friends?

WES ANDERSON, A NEW KIND OF COMEDY

2007-10-09T17:11:00.000-07:00

Man oh man, I love me some Wes Anderson. His quirky dark comedies really integrate a sense of real human emotional torment with bizarre storybook type events and characters. Its a great way to direct and really shows, again, this generational trait of mixing authenticity with creativity. His movies are another of those that characterize a certain sensibility that part of this generation shares. Not everyone loves Wes Anderson movies...my 18-yr-old sister for one, HATES them...but those that enjoy them, really love them and assign a certain cultural cache to them that goes well beyond simple entertainment. I'm super excited for his new movie that came out last weekend "The Darjeeling Limited," and will surely provide updates once I see it next week.

Moreover, as Halloween approaches (a huge holiday for my friends especially), I felt like Wes was worth a mention. His specific style has been an inspiration for many a costume. My buds might even being reprising their role as "Team Zizzou" this season...or maybe go the "Royal Tenenbaums" route...only time will tell.

QUIRK, KITSCH, AND YOU

2007-10-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

There has been a bit of a backlash against American popular culture lately that I find to be highly entertaining. Last month famed designer Marc Jacobs sent fashions down the runway that produced an astonished and almost disturbed response from the fashion community. His fashions, always forward-thinking if not a bit odd, were particularly unique this season as they were inspired by the most popular characteristic of American culture at this time: Quirk. So quirky were his designs that some clothing appeared backwards, patterns mismatched, shoes slightly too small for its models, and the whole show done in reverse. This may have shocked the fashion community and even brought forth some unfavorable snickers from the audience, but I get what Jacobs is selling and I appreciate his momentum. He's able to embrace the kitschiness of our present culture while still working to perpetuate something new and interesting into the fashion world. This, you have to respect.

So what is Quirk and why has it rubbed so many people the wrong way? The Atlantic Monthly produced a fascinating article this month (found here) on the merits (or lack there of) of this American phenomenon. The contributing editor for this publication, Michael Hirschorn defined "quirk" as: “an embrace of the odd against the blandly mainstream. It features mannered ingenuousness, an embrace of small moments, narrative randomness, situationally amusing but not hilarious character juxtapositions...and unexplainable but nonetheless charming character traits. Quirk takes not mattering very seriously. Quirk is odd, but not too odd. That would take us all the way to weird, and there someone might get hurt." I have to say I love this definition b/c it captures that kind of American sensibility and tendency towards the strange yet sincere. There is certainly a sweetness to quirk that makes it resonate most with American audiences. Quirk is "Little Miss Sunshine" and "Flight of the Conchords." Its the newest YouTube sensation "Leave Britney Alone" and "Arrested Development" and "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zizzou." Its comedy, its oddity, its fun, its heart-warming while still maintaining a little roughness around the edges. Its not American reality, but rather a play on American sensibilities and culture.

The problem I think people are having lately with "Quirk" is not that they themselves lack an understanding of its charm. Rather, it is the fact that this previously counter-culture-esque movement has now found its way into the mainstream. Nearly everyone has "Napoleon Dynamite" listed as one of the favorite movies on facebook these days, proudly dawning their "Vote for Pedro" tees. Nearly every college-aged minion can drop "Anchorman" quotes like its their job. This transition should come as no surprise as nearly every counter-culture movement finds it way into the mainstream eventually. Even the goths and punks of the world find most of the wardrobe that defines them at the billion-dollar franchise that is "Hot Topic." "Urban Outfitters" is another perfect example of this. Its always this notion of "selling out" that gets people all riled up over any elements of our culture, but that's just the way it goes I guess.

I have to say I embrace the heart-warming qualities of Quirk and am not so quick to write it off as the latest pop cult phase of our generation. Sure, it'll continue to gain momentum until it so saturates our culture that even I will be ready for something new. But for now, let's just enjoy it, shall we? Its better than the infamous mindless reality tv phase of only a few years before, don't you think?

MYSPACE TV GOES ONLINE

2007-10-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

While internet series have been taking off in a big way for awhile (with "Lonelygirl15" and "Sam Has 7 Friends"), MySpace's new series "Quarterlife" is the social networking site's first series to launch. While the previous internet series have been kinda fly by night endeavors, "Quarterlife" will mark the first series to be backed by a well-established set of Hollywood Producer/Creators: Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz ("My So-Called Life," The Last Samurai, and Blood Diamond). The series, which began as a pilot for ABC called "1/4 Life," was presumed dead after the network passed on it almost 3 years ago. MySpace has fully revived the series, hoping to bring it to life on Nov. 11th. It will consist of short 8-minute episodes to be aired weekly during a 24-hour window for a total of 36 episodes overall. The show will be available on the series' signature site www.Quarterlife.com as well. Due to the popularity of MYSPACE and its current status as a well-oiled marketing machine, the series is expected to do well. I guess we'll have to wait and see how it pans out come November. I have to admit, it looks pretty good. It feels a lot like My So-Called Life, which I just adored.
Quarterlife Trailer

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Oh, and did I mention that my little favey "frat boy" from ABC Family's series GREEK Scott Michael Foster is starring in the series alongside the title character played by Bitsie Tulloch.

**UPDATE 11/19/2007** NBC has just completed negotiations to air the "QUARTERLIFE" internet series on NETWORK TV via NBC starting sometime in early 2008 (once the series has aired on the internet in its entirety). It will be put together in the form of 6 one-hour episodes, a form its producers had originally intended for it to be aired in the first place.

KANYE'S "STRONGER" INFLUENCE

2007-10-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

Man, this song is EVERYWHERE. Now, I've never been the biggest fan of Kanye West as a person b/c he always comes off as kind of a dick, but hey, he's got some great music and I think it really speaks to this generation. On the other hand, I LOVE Daft Punk and thought their song "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" was one of their best. It really captures the go-go-go of this generation. To sample such a great song and really add to it just shows so much. The lyrics, the music itself. Its all about giving it all you got and not knowing what's going to happen, but you gotta put yourself out there. Its also about reinvention, appropriation, and adaptation... making things work for you. I'm just loving this song right now and I know a lot of others are too.

And for a fun throw-back to the original. Check out this video made below by a YouTube user and clear Daft Punk fanatic. Its amazing:

M-M-M MY MILLENNIALS!

2007-10-09T15:26:00.001-07:00

What is a Millennial?

BORN: 1978-1995 (Age 12-29)
75 Million Strong

Characterized as: Self-Confident, Hopeful, In-the-Know, Techno-Saavy, Self-Reliant, Driven, Diverse, Impatient, Flexible, Inclusive, and Questioning

Value: Authenticity, Respect, Honesty, Efficiency, and Diversity

Motto: "More, better, faster!"

Everything you ever see about this "elusive and ever-evolving" generation is written about by old nerdy white guys with computers. Statistics, statistics, statistics. Sure, they can crunch numbers and churn out the "what's hot and what's not" of it all...but its a day late and a dollar short so to speak. By the time it hits their printers, its usually common knowledge and the corporations so desperately "cool-hunting" have usually already hopped on the bandwagon anyway.

I'm here to break it down for ya. Straight from the horse's mouth. Now, am I going to be able to speak for ALL people in my generation? Not even close. I speak for myself and for those I know best, but I can tell you that that experience is probably leaps and bounds ahead of the people researching it in the first place. Ultimately, their research is great...but it comes too late and for a hefty price. For up the the minute hits and trends with the younger market, I hope I can bring it straight to you with the click of a mouse button. Afterall, that's how us millennials like it done.