Don’t have a cow, man

In high school graduations around the region, speakers tout the future leaders of America. But just where are these young adults coming from? What societal norms have shaped their thinking?

Beloit College in Wisconsin has helped measure the parameters of their experiences with its annual Mindset List. Combining that list with tidbits of our own, did you know the following about this year’s group, most of whom were born in 1990?

They’ve never “rolled down” a window in a new car, but those cars have always had driver’s side air bags. Humvees have always been available.

“Lame” has nothing to do with injuries. “Off the hook” isn’t a fishing reference. The following slogans were before their time: “And that’s the way it is”; “Here’s Johnny”; “Where’s the beef?”; “There you go again”; “Just do it.”

There have always been Starbucks coffeehouses, the Web and Nintendo. There’s never been a Berlin Wall or a president not named Bush or Clinton.

Logging has always been curtailed by concerns over survival of the northern spotted owl. There’s always been a Tri-Party Agreement to clean up Hanford. Chris Gregoire has always been a statewide official. Global warming has always been contentious.

There’s always been a Hoopfest, a Centennial Trail, a “Joy of Running” sculpture in Riverfront Park and a Coeur d’Alene Resort. The Crescent has always been closed.

Nelson Mandela has always been free. Kevin Coe has always been in jail.

“Don’t Worry Be Happy” could always be found in the used music bin. Rap has always been mainstream music.

When they were in preschool, Kurt Cobain committed suicide. Spokane’s Julia Sweeney left “Saturday Night Live.” “The Simpsons” has always been on the air. Lucille Ball has always been dead.

The Boston Celtics have never won an NBA title. Ken Griffey Jr. has always been a Major League Baseball player. Pete Rose has always been banished.

Most had yet to enter kindergarten when cartoonist Gary Larson discontinued “The Far Side.” There’s always been a “Dilbert.”

It is easy for older people to look at this list and wonder how the next generation can possibly be expected to take over the leadership role. That’s a familiar conceit. Or as George Orwell said:

“Each generation imagines itself to be more intelligent than the one that went before it, and wiser than the one that comes after it.”

We’re not sure if that’s good or bad, but that’s the way it is.