The natural human stress reaction is one of two options. It is best know as the “Fight or Flight” mechanism. Although it sounds rather simplistic, the process can be painfully complex, as our minds filter through the possible outcomes and options before we make the choice of staying and “fighting” the issue ahead of us, or running far, far away to avoid what’s coming.
So how do Millenials deal with issues? It’s pretty clear that we’re a fighting generation. We like to face our problems head on. But where does that leave us?
It leaves us with the spandex and the cape (but hopefully not like this guy…). We are the rising heroes of the planet, whether we want to be or not. With our attitudes, our ambition and our evolution of thought, our task is becoming abundantly clear with each passing day: we are going to save the world.
Let’s take a look at the world we live in, shall we? Global warming is a pressing issue, as well as anything environmental. Once we move past the fact that the planet itself is dying, we can take a look at our social lives and realize that our economy is almost non-existent. We are still fighting “the War on Terrorism,” but I’m pretty sure more than half of us don’t even know what that is anymore. Technology is moving so fast that we can barely keep up with its advancements. Not to mention, communication and news finds us, not the other way around. There’s no escape from information anymore.
Ignorance is no longer an option.
A recent New York Times column, appropriately titled “Save Us, Millennials,” said that what this country needs right now is “the cooler minds of a generation that grew up with endless wars and color-coded terrorist alerts.”
“If anyone should be complaining about deficits, it should be the 20-somethings who will have to pay for all those meds-popping boomers moving into the comfort of Medicare and Social Security.
If anyone should be upset over two long wars that were put on the credit card, it should be the generation shedding the most blood in those conflicts.
And if anyone should take personally the poisoning of a vast ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico, it should be the one cohort of the electorate that showed the most skepticism of oil companies and the strongest desire for a new green economy.”
The previous generations have always had the option to “wait and see.” I’m not saying they didn’t make advancements. Without the work they did, we wouldn’t have half of what we do now. But I’m also not saying they are without fault. We are being handed the reins to a world in despair. We have reached a breaking point at which the “flight” option that is so familiar, so programmed in human nature, has become erased from Gen Y.
If we run from the problems presented, if we wait and say we’re “going to sleep on it,” there won’t be a next morning to revisit the issue. Although Millenials are put into a situation where we need to put on the big-kid-pants, suit up and deal with the problems handed down to us, I don’t think there is a more prepared generation for the job. We’re almost over-qualified.
So when we put on the mask and cape, what does that entail? Fanning the fire under our asses. Turning that spark into a full-on lightning storm. It is a call for duty we cannot ignore. Gen Y has something burning in us, keeping us moving. Our attitudes towards change are a revolutionary aspect that has yet to be seen by the world we live in. Our communication skills are beyond compare. Our knowledge and understanding of technology and our open mindedness to opportunity and versatility are traits that are powerful and virtually brand new. We are an over-qualified super weapon that is being presented with unreal opportunities for both good and bad.
Gen Y just needs to stay on the right path. Choose the cape and mask over the lure of domination and selfish power. You know, all that Jedi jargon.
As children, Millennials were always told they could be whatever they wanted when they grew up. That they could take whatever path they wanted. This couldn’t be more true. There’s just a lot more riding on which way we go. In the words of Uncle Ben from Spiderman, “with great power, comes great responsibility.” Gen Y is Spiderman. Gen Y is Wonder Woman. Gen Y is Batman and every other superhero combined. We are the superheroes of a soon-to-be new world order. We are Atlas, carrying the world on our shoulders.
The question is, can we hold it up and keep the world spinning in the right direction?
I vote yes.
My cape and mask is on.
Who says spandex can’t be cool?
Suit up.
Photo by Eneas
