The Mindset of the Mindset (from ACUHO-I)

I guess I should first say that the ACUHO-I is The Association of College & University Housing Officers - International serving housing professionals. I read their blog, get e-mail updates, etc. It's an interesting way to look at res life elsewhere (and they also have an internship program I'm looking into).

One particular blog post of theirs caught my eye earlier. They mentioned what's called the Beloit Mindset List, which is described as "provid[ing] a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall" (http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/).

Below is a selection of items taht have been on past lists (in bold, with dates), and some of my thoughts regarding them.

Nothing like a nontraditional blog post, eh?

Few in the class know how to write in cursive (2010).
I can honestly say, I learned how to write cursive in 2nd grade. Never really used unless I had to. However, now that I'm in a class that takes 5-7 pages of notes (front/back) a class, it's used all the time in there.

South Africa's official policy of apartheid has not existed during their lifetime (2002).
I learned about apartheid in 6th grade, and wrote a report about it. It was definitely an interesting thing to learn about. I've always enjoyed history, and this was part of that.

Smoking has never been permitted on U.S. airlines (2006).
Well, this one is definitely obvious, but I've got relatives (including my dad) who remember when it was still allowed.

They have never feared a nuclear war. "The day after" is a pill to them -- not a movie (1998).
I try to keep up on the news the best I can. I still see the fear that some people hold as far as war goes. I suppose the same fear is with pregnancy with college students.

There has always been Diet Coke (2001).
Hahaha. Yep. I know some people who are addicted to the stuff. To which I say, ew. Regular or nothing for me.

This generation has never wanted to "be a Pepper too" (2002).
I'm guessing this is referring to Dr. Pepper. I don't drink the stuff, and don't really care to try it.

When they were born, Madonna was still a radiant woman holding a beatific child (2001).
Considering I'm not a Madonna fan, I don't know how to comment on this one.

Harry has always known Sally (2003).
I still have yet to see "When Harry Met Sally...," so this one's not really applicable in a sense.

Fergie is a pop singer, not a princess. (2010)
And an interesting singer, at that...

Males do not carry a handkerchief in a back pocket (2002).
This is true...

Dilbert has always been ridiculing cubicle culture. (2007)
My dad appreciates Dilbert, since he works in a cube. I want to go into HR, and I appreciate it as well. We always ask each other if we've read it yet that day.

There have always been non-stop flights around the world without refueling. (2003)
This still blows my mind that this is possible.

Margaret Thatcher has always been a former prime minister. (2009)
Yep. At least in my 20 years of being here.

They have never used a bottle of “White Out.”
I've used it. I had to make sure it was on my supply list this year because I knew I'd be using it.

Secondhand smoke has always been an official carcinogen. (2010)
That it has. Sad, really.

They have never needed a prescription to buy ibuprofen. (1999)
Considering I don't buy meds, I don't usually think about this kind of thing, but it's interesting to think about.

Oprah has always been a national institution. (2001)
Honestly, I'm really not an Oprah fan (sorry all you Oprah-lovers).

Woodstock is a bird or a reunion, not a cultural touchstone. (2000)
My first concert was filled with performers from Woodstock (Jefferson Airplane, Country Joe McDonald, and Tom Constanten from the Grateful Dead). I know what it is, and I can't even imagine how epic it must have been.

They may never have heard of an 8-track, and chances are they’ve never heard or seen one. (1998)
I know what it is, where my dad has some, and I don't recalled if he's played it or not. (One of the awesome things about having a dad who doesn't like getting rid of things).

A “45″ is a gun, not a record with a large hole in the center. (2000)
Similarly, my dad's got a bunch of records, so I do know what it is... And now he just needs the needle for his record player so that I can listen to them!

Big Brother is merely a television show. (2002)
Not a fan of the TV show, but I really liked the books 1984 and Brave New World.

Gas stations have never fixed flats, but most serve cappuccino. (2008)
Haha, so true... Thank goodness for the kindess of strangers and AAA.

Their lifetime has always included AIDS. (1998)
Sad, but true...

John Lennon and John Belushi have always been dead. (1999)
And, yet, I'm still a fan of both. :)

The Soviet Union has never existed and therefore is about as scary as the student union. (2006)
Bwahaha. My dad went to Russia when it was the USSR in 1970, and I love hearing his stories.

They don’t know who Mork was, or where he was from. (1998)
I know who he is, but not where he's from (is it Mars?)

Nobody has ever responded to “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” (2009)
All this makes me think is the senior video from my senior year of high school.

They never saw the shuttle Challenger fly. (2005)
Can't say that I have.

They never “rolled down” a car window. (2007)
Oh, the memories of my mom's old Honda Accord...

There have always been ATM machines. (2000)
Yep. Not really too much else to say besides that.

They have no idea how big a breadbox is. (1999)
I think my grandparents might still have one.

Electronic filing of tax returns has always been an option. (2008)
I think I can remember my parents sending one via mail before e-filing was possible.

Wayne Gretzky never played for Edmonton. (2005)
I'm a football fan, not hockey.

Leasing has always allowed the folks to upgrade their tastes in cars. (2010)
Haha, so true...

Retin-A has always made America look less wrinkled. (2006)
Not quite sure how respond to this one, as I just tell my mom that wrinkles go where smiles have been.

For daily caffeine emergencies, Starbucks has always been around the corner. (2005)
Unless you're in small town Cali. Haha.

Large fine-print ads for prescription drugs have always appeared in magazines. (2003)
This is true...

Babies have always had a Social Security Number. (2009)
Yup. I don't remember not being asked for one for job purposes, applying to college, etc.

The blog article can be found here: http://blog.acuho-i.org/2010/08/the-mindset-of-the-mindset/

What are your thoughts?

Comments = always welcome.