Generation Y: Y.O.L.O (You only live once)

Has anyone noticed Generations Y’s strange obsession with living in the now? When I say Generation Y, a.k.a the Millennial Generation, I’m referring to individuals born between the late 70’s into the 2000’s. This generation has been the main target for this “act now, think later” theme. Popular media outlets, including movies, music, and social media have all begun to stress the ways this generation should be living, and that consist of living a lifestyle deprived of regrets! In terms of movies, this would include SuperBad, Project X, 21 and Over, the Hangover Franchise, and many more; while some songs would currently include:

One Direction‘s “Live While We’re Young“- “Tonight let’s get some. And live while we’re young”
Fun‘s popular hit “We are Young“- “Tonight, we are young, So let’s set the world on fire”
M.I.A‘s “Bad Girls“- “Live fast, die young, Bad girls do it well”
Ke$ha‘s “Die Young”- “Let’s make the most of the night like we’re gonna die young“

Each of these songs emphasize living in the now, problem free. These artists use youth as a clutch, and an excuse, to do anything and everything, without having to face the repercussions! They are exploited and told these false truths, that somehow the individual’s youth will protect them from harm, even immortalize them in countless ways. This has led to the death and incarceration of countless teens across America. Whether this is from the rising death toll of texting and driving, increased drug acceptance, or an increased urge to try new and dangerous stunts seen on television. Shows such as MTV’s long running Jackass, has long promoted this lifestyle, alongside several other shows geared toward teens on, including “The Real World,” newcomers “Buckwild,” and “Jersey Shore.” What’s sad is that television shows, movies, and music alike are now capitalizing on this toxic idea that is putting countless lives at stake. In fact, young adults have internalized these messages so much that they’re all over social media: #YOLO- “You only live once,” and are used repetitively after the completion of certain activities. If an individual fails to complete these activities, peers are looked down upon after excluding themselves from the risky behavior taking place, resulting in them completing the task out of #FOMO- “Fear of missing out.”

What do you think about this phenomena? Do you agree that it has become more widespread over the past couple of years? If not, please feel free to comment and post your opinion, I’d love to hear it!

Lainey B’s Guide to Successfully Avoiding Boredom:

Hey, if you’re not being physically active or productive in any way, why not watch hours of good television? Here’s my top list of television shows that are currently on or returning soon:

Fantasy (Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, Fairies, Demons, Storybook Characters, etc):
1. Once Upon A Time
2. Vampire Diaries
3. True Blood
4. Supernatural

Epics (Knights, Warriors, etc.)
1. Game of Thrones

Period Pieces
1. Mad Men
2. The Vikings

Government (Conspiracies, Agents, Cops, etc.)
1. Homeland
2. Scandal
3. Elementary
4. Law & Order
5. Golden Boy
6. Southland
7. Blue Bloods

Psycho Killers
1. Hannibal
2. The Following
3. Dexter
4. Bates Motel
5. Criminal Minds

Comical Television
1. The New Girl
2. Modern Family
3. Awkward
4. Girls

Uncategorized Others
1. Revenge
2. Revolution
3. Duck Dynasty

Do you watch any of these? Excited for the next seasons? If not, what shows are your guilty pleasures?

An “Angel” Gone Rogue- The Boston Marathon Bombings

With the tragic events that have unfolded over the past couple of days within the Boston community, one can’t help but wonder, how could anyone do this? These two primary suspects, including the currently deceased, 26 year old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, and his younger brother, 19 year old Dzhokar Tsarnaev, left the world at a standstill after causing the Boston Marathon Bombings. While Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed earlier by gunshot wounds, following a shootout in Watertown, his brother is still at large. As the manhunt ensues, in search of Dzhokar, information about the two suspects continues to surface. This morning countless news sources, including NBC’s Today show, interviewed several individuals who personally knew the suspects. Dzhokar’s high school classmates and employer relayed that Dzhokar was a very “normal kid” with a seemingly ordinary lifestyle, including being part of his high school wrestling team, partying, and smoking pot. Individuals also conveyed that Dzhokar matriculated through the Boston school system, and expressed their confusion towards his recent transgressions. Meanwhile, Boston is on lockdown, in fear that Dzhokar is on the move with explosives at hand. The Boston community has been placed on high alert and instructed to stay indoors; police officials have also closed mass public transportation while the FAA have enforced strict no-fly zones. Dshokar has been publically identified as a terrorist and a threat to the entire Boston community. After the reported killing of his brother, the teen reportedly posted online that he will “kill everyone.”  The suspects’s family has reported that they have no idea why they would do anything like this. This is an attack on a global front and has effected communities around the world.My heart goes out to all the victims in Boston who have had to face this devastating attack, as well as the entire Boston community who have been shut up in their houses out of fear for their lives and their families!

 

Justin Bieber, Stop Monkeying Around!

Okay so has anyone else noticed that the Justin Bieber‘s career is literally spiraling out of  control? It’s like he’s recently committed himself to self sabatage! His publicist, Melissa Victor, is clearly sleeping on the job. Here’s a countdown conveying the many ways the Biebs is truly going Bananas:

 1. The Weed Pics– The weed pics are what launched Justin’s tarnished image and behavior.

2. The Crazed Fans– After the weed pics surfaced, devoted fans began cutting themselves in order for the pop star to quit his new habit. Thus beginning the morbid “#cutforbieber” spree that circled both Facebook and Twitter.

3. The Break Up– After the weed pics surfaced and the his fans began cutting themselves, Selena Gomez knew she had to get out of their relationship. Once the Disney star broke her 1 ½ year relationship with Justin, Justin seemed to lose a good amount of his fan base.

4. Kicked out the Club– The singer was kicked out of Cirque du Soir, a London Club, after refusing to leave rumored girlfriend, Ellapaige Roberts-Clarke (17) and Jaden Smith (14), who were denied access due to being underage.

5. Health Scare– When Justin Bieber tweeted pictures of himself, shirtless, and lying in a hospital bed after collapsing during a concert in London. This misled concern had fans wondering whether to be scared for the singer or excited to see his chiseled body?

6. Paparazzi Fight– Following his health scare, Justin was led by his security team from the hotel he was staying at in London when a paparazzo yelled “F*** off back to America!” This resulted in the 19 year old star hurling himself at the paparazzo and releasing a laundry list of expletives….Classy!

7. Death of a Paparazzo– Not too long after his last stunt with the paparazzi, a Los Angeles paparazzo named Chris Guerra, was struck by a car and killed after trying to nail a picture of the singer smoking weed. The determined paparazzo risked his life to catch a shot of the singer further tainting his image.

8. His Spat with his Neighbor– Justin was prosecuted for “spitting” on his Calabasas neighbor’s face. I guess talking wasn’t enough? Anyways, the neighbor, a father of three, charged the singer with spitting on him and launching a series of threats against him.

9. Going Bananas– Justin Bieber tried to bring his pet Capuchin monkey, named Mally, to Germany. The monkey was later confiscated after Bieber failed to present the documents required to bring the monkey with him. Although this happened weeks ago, the monkey is still being detained in quarantine. Ummmm, animal cruelty? I’m surprised the PETA organization hasn’t attacked the Biebs yet!

10. Late to his Own Concert– Justin Bieber arrived two hours late, yes I said it TWO HOURS LATE, to his concert in Dortmund, Germany. How are you gonna show up two hours late to your own concert? Not only was he extremely tardy, but he failed to explain or apologize for why he showed up late in the first place. Really Biebs? You only have but so many fans left, how are you gonna disappoint those select few?

WHAT’S NEXT ON BEIBER’S SPIRALING AGENDA? I HONESTLY DON’T KNOW!

    Are you a fan of the Biebs? Do you think his behavior over the past couple of months has been odd or semi regular for a celebrity?
Where do you think his career is going from here?

I’m a Barbie Girl, In a ‘Racist’ Barbie World

This week (Harlem, New York) mothers made their struggles known, as they demanded for Mattel, the popular Barbie making company to produce more Barbies of color. Like most mothers, Georgia Braithwaite, yearned to do nothing less than throw her daughter the best party she could. Thus, as soon as her daughter told her that she wanted a “Barbie-themed” party, she headed straight to the nearest party store. Nonetheless, as Karen Braithwaite, an eager mother, walked the isles of the store, she came to a standstill. She couldn’t find any products revolving around Barbies of color. Faced with overflowing isles of blonde haired, blue eyed Barbies, Karen had no other choice but to make ends meet. She chose to do the best she could and bought the closest complexioned Barbie to her daughter—Malibu Barbie. After devoting her time to coloring in each and everyone of the Malibu Barbies faces, Karen was ready to celebrate her daughters special birthday celebration with her!
……After hearing about this, all I have to say is REALLLY?!?! It’s 2013 Mattel, how can you not have a diverse group of Barbies? What is this the 50’s? There should be no hesitation when it comes to making globally conscious Barbies! We are living in a increasingly interconnected society, and this should be the last outlet for racism!! Children should be able to relate to people, let alone their dolls. If we have Black, Asian and Latina children aspiring to look like a Caucasian Barbie (and her counterpart Ken), we have children growing up with a conflicting self image. As Karen Braithwaite exclaimed, “The message they are sending when they exclude black Barbies, is that blonde hair and blue eyes are the ideal.”
We have to emphasize to our children, what makes the world beautiful is that people come in all colors, shapes, and sizes!

To sign a petition to increase the production of interracial Barbies, go to:

http://www.change.org/petitions/mattel-offer-party-supplies-featuring-barbies-of-color