Gen Y vs. MTV Generation

This past weekend I read an interesting article in the New York Times (Growing Up Digital, Wired for Distraction) on Generation Y and their obsession with wireless gadgets. Apparently, the availability and incessant use of text messaging, Facebook, Twitter etc. is distractive and prevents youngsters from focusing in class and completing homework.

As the director of 3^rd and 4^th year medical student Internal Medicine training at the Virginia Commonwealth University, I have noticed students furtively glancing at their mobile phones and sending messages during patient rounds. This is not to imply that our students are not all extremely bright, motivated and dedicated. It seems, however, that the disruptive effect of mobile gadgetry extends beyond that of traditional classrooms.

My parents must have had it easy. In the 1980’s I was distracted by MTV, as were millions of other teenagers. No cool smart phones, iPods, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. How lame. However, as a proud member of the MTV Generation, I did get to watch the initial airing of Michal Jackson’s Thriller video. That’s no small consolation.