The most messed-up generation ever?

Wikimedia Commons

We're such a messed-up generation. Addicted to our cell phones, going about our lives like dissatisfied robots and never entirely sure whether we're in love with our partners or not. In fact, we may just be the most messed-up generation ever. We don't lead pre-planned lives the way our forefathers did. We wake up everyday to the threat of a world war or the destruction of the planet due to climatic reasons. We don't know where our lives are headed and we are bombarded with so many options everyday that we can never be sure we've made the right choices. We talk to people we've never met; sometimes regularly and we're often not affiliated to any one culture, philosophy or way of life. We are more exposed to ideas, books, music, movies, people and places than ever before - so much that our lives don't make sense to us any more. We have more knowledge at our fingertips than we can handle; yet the answers to questions that truly matter, elude us. We express ourselves constantly; yet we feel there's no one to listen. We're constantly multitasking - on the phone while watching television, texting while reading, listening to music while walking. Our attention is never focussed; we are always fragmented, distracted and removed from the moment. We fear very little and the word 'duty' makes no sense to us. We are free - yet we are bound by our families with their expectations from a time we haven't known and a world that makes constant demands on our time. We want to be moral; yet our rationality permits us to understand immorality. We want to be good; yet material pursuits make monsters out of us. We have resources but we are clueless about how to use them best. We have ideas but we often lack the passion to follow them through. We have to struggle for nothing - and so, nothing means much to us. We live in a world where anything is possible if you have enough money for it. We live in a world where addictions court us every step of our lives. We live in a world where, as a Facebook meme said, free wifi is easier to get than water. We do not have the crutches of religion, marital compulsion, duty or pursuits of honour. The onus of lending meaning and purpose to our lives - it's entirely on us. And the path we choose to achieve that - the sky is the limit, there too. It's exhilarating and frightening at the same time. Because with so much at stake and so much in our hands, the responsibility for both success and failure lies entirely with us. We are a generation who cannot admire a beautiful sight without wanting to capture it for posterity and then sharing it with the world - all within seconds. We are a generation who cannot feel relevant without a virtual alter ego. We are a generation who can go days without speaking to our immediate families but cannot spend more than a few moments without Internet connectivity. We are a generation of contradictions and I have no idea how we are going to extricate ourselves out of this mess.

12 comments:

  1. I feel shit!
    A sincere thanks for that...
    Nice writing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The human race is always evolving. Always. Sadly, in modern times evolution has been a negative connotation simply because with each passing day we become more complex ( or maybe simpler). The YOLO generation as we call it is nothing but an aftermath of what our previous generation has done. I honestly don't know why would you term it as a mess. Its a beautiful mess if it is one at all. Today we look 10 year olds on various social media websites, carrying an iphone and virtually knowing everything that we probably knew by 15 or 16. But have we ever asked why? Its just thoughts and ideas being passed on. After all change is the only constant and inevitable thing around. Except for death. I believe we are stuck in a limbo where we are still trying to figure ourselves out in a much deeper manner. Maybe for better or for worse.
    Nevertheless well written.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Aayush. I like your positivity. I agree on some level too. As long as we're asking the right questions, I suppose we're doing all right. :)

      Delete
  3. The confusion you described is known to each and everyone of us. We try to solve it to get confused further. We exude confidence but fail to use it. We have ability but fail to materialise. We dream but lack passion to make it a reality. We are spoilt for choice but we don't know which is the ideal option. Damn!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loved every word it, very well written. It is brutally honest, pinches deep in your heart. What i like is it doesn't end with an advise. The author is honest enough to articulate it. Simple, very expressive and honest.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey hi.Your blog speaks what we all know but never wish to acknowledge, specifically the confidence which you spoke about. This seems to be a very thought provoking article.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have nominated your blog for the sunshine blog award. I hope you accept it..:)…
    http://anirudhrrao.blogspot.in/2014/06/my-sunshine-blog-award.html

    ReplyDelete