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We do consider ourselves collectively special; is it because we feel we own the world or does the world secretly own us?

I am an echo boomer. Born in 1983, I am born in a generation of I-pods, DVDs, cell phones and electronic mail. This article resonates some truth in a way that we are a generation that is used to being catered to. We aspire for individualism because we feel we were protected all our lives. I haven’t even once, eaten in a public place alone. I guess we’re just a generation used to doing things together; which isn’t necessarily bad.

There is not much difference from echo boomers who live here or live abroad. Most of us aim to please for the reason that we’re used to being held at a pedestal by people in our lives. We are overachievers. When I was in high school the qualifying CGPA for you to be the school valedictorian was 95. The school had to change the grading system or our batch would have welcomed 6 valedictorians instead of just 1. About 5 would be salutatorians and half the grade would graduate with distinction or with a special award. We do aim to be on top. We just don’t mind sharing the spotlight with someone else who’s equally earned it.

I think the “aim to please” mindset is a little bit harsh. We are not a generation of sycophants. Most of people I know, including myself do things right for the betterment of everybody. We’re strong believers of the “Win/win” philosophy. We are, what you may call-- traditional liberals. Our rules demand that you welcome everyone from every background no matter what status… it is based on open-minded ideals. Individuality is misplaced because with all the opportunity laid down before us, we want to try everything and literally, be all what we can be.

People say we are cynical towards advertisements but 5 out of 10 echo boomers trust the governmentP Most people I know here and back home are democrats. I kind of believe most of the people in this generation have the realization that not everything printed on paper is considered truth. As more calamities arise (such as Hurricane Katrina and Rita and the earthquake in Pakistan or 9/11); people in our generation have grown more cynical not knowing who to trust or what to trust.

Most people I know do succumb to trends though. Pop culture dictates life. Everyone has an I-pod, everyone has On-demand. We are heavy users of cellular phones and the Internet. It is almost impossible for someone not to reach someone in today’s technology driven world. My philosophy is, if you can’t reach someone, chances are, that person doesn’t want to be reached. Word of mouth and buzz creates a more credible stand for marketers because as said, growing cynicism makes us distrust anything delivered in packaged messages. We question everything we meet because we’ve lived in a world of surging information which has not always been accurate.

The way this generation has the potential to be something great is quite a testament to the generation who raised them. Most of our baby boomer parents lived through war and dictatorship. After the chaos of totalitarianism, no one would want to raise a Hitler or a Stalin. Baby boomers raised their kids, not to rule the world but to make a difference.

So to answer the above question; we do consider ourselves special; not because the world’s attention is on us, but because we feel that we are in the position to change it. And what generation is more unified to do just that?