We live in a world where the boom box and Walkman of Generation X have been overtaken by the iPod, the analog notebook is rapidly being conquered by the laptop computer and Adult Swim reigns high over all. The internet makes the world go 'round, cell-phones are everywhere, and, despite once being limited to the outer fringe of geek-hood, video games have now invaded society on a gargantuan scale.

    Wikipedia.org describes the current youth generation as those people too young to remember the Challenger Disaster, but old enough to remember the events that transpired on 9/11. They call us "Generation Y," or "the Millennial Generation."

    This means that most of us born between 1984 and 1998 can be classified into this so-called "Generation Y."

    Okay, so now that we know how old we are, what is it €"exactly€" that makes our "Generation Y" unique?

    "I would say we are the generation of passive communication-it seems we have so many ways of communicating and none of them require that the receiver be present," answered Senior Brynn Clark, an English major.

    It is unavoidable; the large-scale emergence of rapid electronic communication, such as cell phones, text messaging, AOL Instant Messenger and e-mail has changed the face of the world before our very eyes. Our generation is the first to grow up with regular internet access.

    Electronic communication, as mentioned by Clark, has changed the face of social interaction across the globe by integrating e-mail, instant messages, chat-rooms and online groups such as the Facebook and MySpace into our everyday lives.

    However, aside from recreational pursuits, there are many other benefits from the explosion of communications technology that have helped shape the lives and identity of our generation.

    "We have more access to reliable resources, research opportunities, global politics and economics, daily local news and weather and shopping for any product," said Clark

    "I think that the banking industry has changed a lot due to the increased use of technology. We are able to access our accounts online and receive funds at a quicker rate. Sites like E-Bay are able to instantly receive payments from bidders online. The economics in our country, especially the mode of monetary exchange, has changed dramatically," Clark said.

    Our methods of communication differ from those used before our time, but what is it really that identifies the culture of our generation? What is it that's popular, and what are we really identified with?

    Those are hard questions to answer.

    UTSA English Professor Mark Allen said, "Consumerism seems to be pretty pervasive, with the concomitant need to earn enough money to maintain the 'toys' of today €"mostly electronic equipment, and things to do with transportation and leisure activities. People seem to think they need to work pretty hard to enjoy themselves, when greater simplicity might well be a more direct route."

    It's true; we live in an era of mass consumerism. With the growth of companies and corporations, advertisement has taken more of an aggressive mainstream approach.

    It's hard to identify specific cultural identity in such a multifaceted society, but certain things are thrown at us every day. These stereotypes are eventually going to become the things that identify our generation.

    But what can be done to avoid it?

    "Just walking down the halls and through the parking lot makes some of the results of consumerism evident, but the pressures that create it are unavoidable on TV, in junk mail, spam, etc," said Allen.

    So, through heavy advertising and heavy social pressure, expensive clothing from places like Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, American Eagle and more have become popular among students today.

    "Blue jeans for this generation have now been custom made for each personality, from sparkles and rips all the way down to boot cut to curvy jeans," said Clark.

    This means clothing styles and trends can no longer be used to identify a generation's culture. We don't have the bell bottoms and sun glasses, or polyester and hair spray to provide stereotypes for future generations use to identify us.

    "I don't think there is a [specific] American culture. There is such a blend of so many different cultures that we have all gotten used to them," said Senior Monica Padilla, an English major.

    Despite the greater effect that mass advertising has had upon people of our age bracket, we have still managed to maintain an amazing level of individuality. Some people dress certain ways; some people don't.

    Perhaps the major identifying force for our generation is that there is no identifying force. We are unique.

    Many of us strive for individuality, and never before in the world has it been so easy to be an expressive individual. Through electronic means, creative expression has been taken to a new level, and members of our generation have embraced it.

    So while we may bend to trends, and fall into corporate categories for classifying consumers, this generation resists identity. So what should we call this generation, since "Generation Y " implies that we are some sort of sequel?

    "Generation Next because our generation is the most technologically advanced and it's because of us that there is such a mass consumer market," said Padilla.

    Generation Next is a perfect name, but not just for these reasons.

    Generation X was the culmination of the 20th century, the best the century had to offer; this generation, our generation, is stepping forward to lead us into the next century, millennium and era altogether.

    The members of our generation taught our parents how to use the internet, program the clock on the VCR, and how to check voice mail on a cell phone. We will carry the torch of society into a new world dominated by electronic extremes, and we will be the ones to face social problems left by our elders.

    Aside from the gas shortages, wars and the lack of a Social Security fund, what other types of problems and responsibilities will we face together?

    Making sure Adult Swim stays on the air.

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