Title: Millenial: The Generation of Materialism What effect does materialism have on today's generation?

Essay by heyloweryCollege, UndergraduateA, November 2008

download word file, 5 pages 1.0

In philosophy, materialism is "the theory that physical matter is the only reality and that everything, including thought, feeling, mind, and will, can be explained in terms of matter and physical phenomena" (American Heritage Dictionary). The idea that materialism has influenced the younger generations is shown through works by authors Arlie Russell Hochschild and Thomas Hine. Hochshild indicates that generational identities are only commercial and "function as market gimmicks," while Hine states that generations only ever exist due to the "yearning to belong to a group". Even though the authors believe in different aspects of generations, both suggest similar ideas on the development of the current generation, the "Millenial Generation". Also known as the Google Generation, the MySpace Generation, or the iGeneration, the Millenial Generation is characterized by the use of DVD's, instant messaging, cellular phones, acronyms, and iPods. We are considered tech-natives and according to the American Time Use survey, spend up to 14 hours a day using electronic devices.

These electronic advances differ greatly from generations before us, considering this generation is directly influenced by the Internet boom of the 90's. The Millenial Generation is most commonly known for its impatience, lack of respect, sense of entitlement, and most of all, materialism.

Impatience is just one of the many character flaws innate within the persons of the Millenial Generation. We are influenced by high-speed internet, fast food, instant communication, and quick transportation. High-speed internet allows information to be acquired more efficiently, saving dozens of trips to the library and bookstores. Unfortunately there are major draw-backs from such a convenience, the most prominent being faulty information. With search engines such as Google, Ask Jeeves, and Yahoo, people have come to rely heavily upon the first ten hits without questioning the information provided, thus allowing themselves to...