The Class of 2020

It’s that time of year again – when students go back to school and Beloit College issues its annual Mindset List. Here are some highlights from this year’s list:

“Students heading into their first year of college this year are mostly 18 and were born in 1998. Among those who have never been alive in their lifetime are Frank Sinatra, Phil Hartman, Matthew Shepard, Sonny Bono, and Flo-Jo. Since they arrived on this planet….

There has always been a digital swap meet called eBay.
Grandpa has always been able to reach for the Celebrex.
They never heard Harry Caray try to sing during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field.
There have always been Cadillac Escalades, but they just don’t seem to be all that into cars.
Vladimir Putin has always been calling the shots at the Kremlin.
The Sandy Hook tragedy is their Columbine.
The United States has always been at war.
Serena Williams has always been winning Grand Slam singles titles.
SpongeBob SquarePants has always lived at Bikini Bottom.
They have never had to watch or listen to programs at a scheduled time.
Each year they’ve been alive the U.S. population has grown by more than one million Latinos.
If you want to reach them, you’d better send a text—emails are oft ignored.
They disagree with their parents as to which was the “first” Star Wars episode.
NFL coaches have always had the opportunity to throw a red flag and question the ref.
Citizens have always been able to register to vote when they get their driver’s license.
Bluetooth has always been keeping us wireless and synchronized.
They have always eaten irradiated food.
A Bush and a Clinton have always been campaigning for something big.
Physicians have always had unions.
Snowboarding has always been an Olympic sport.
While chads were hanging in Florida, they were potty training in all 50 states.
John Elway and Wayne Gretzky have always been retired.
They have never seen billboard ads for cigarettes.
Airline tickets have always been purchased online.
Outstanding women basketball players have always had their own Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn.
Newt who?
War films have always shown horrific battle scenes inspired by Saving Private Ryan.
Michael J. Fox has always spoken publicly about having Parkinson’s disease.