iPhones, selfies, and Justin Bieber! Oh, my! A new generation seemingly defined by technology, self-absorption and pop culture is upon us. Along with the new generation, critics remarking the downfall of society make their presence known. However, could a topic with such a negative connotation actually show hope for the future? Surprisingly enough, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Technology is, and always will be, around us. There’s just no escaping that. But, what bothers people from older generations isn’t the technology itself; it’s the way the current generation uses it. Don’t get me wrong, I can see why countless hours of staring at a phone would bother a generation that grew up without internet. Heck, it even bothers me. But the fact of the matter is that under the unproductive exterior lies a cornucopia of information. At no other point in history could a person access endless amounts information with the click of a few buttons. Despite all the controversy, today’s generation remains educated about a wider spectrum of topics than any previous generation. Thus, the constant use of technology should not be viewed as a waste of time, but rather a useful resource. Additionally, the ignorance of specific people should not define a general populous.

Self-absorption, or shall I say, selfie-absorption, is another trend taking today’s generation by storm. Bad puns aside, this trend actually fuels a new wave of confidence. Why is it that we tend to look down upon the bulk of selfies? To me, a selfie is so much more than just a photograph. A selfie shows that one is comfortable with his/her physical appearance. And who are we to take that confidence away? So keep on taking selfies, you beautiful creature.

Lastly, every generation has its pop culture. To judge one generation because its pop culture does not coincide with your interests is not fair. On top of that, just because something is older does not make it more respectable. Likewise, what may seem unsatisfactory now might seem magnificent to a future generation. After all, one of the main phrases in Nicki Minaj’s masterpiece “Anaconda” comes directly from Sir Mix-a-Lot’s irritating 1992 single, “Baby Got Back.”

What I mean by all of this is that no generation’s trends are better than those of another generation. Every time period has its classic trademarks and its questionable fads. Long story short, the battle of the generations has resulted in a tie.