“Generation Q” and “Generation of Generation Q”
the previous generation used to be, Fishman’s evidences are more up-to-date. According to a recent Sun editorial, “activism has transformed from sensationalized 1960s tear-gas rallies to online petitions and Internet discussion boards” (Fishman 73). Not only Fishman, but also the reality tells that the time has changed. News can be spread worldwide in seconds through the Internet, and it can easily gather “Generation Q”, written by Thomas L. Friedman, and “The Generation of Generation Q”, written by Rob Fishman, share a common topic about behaviors of the current young generation. Friedman calls the young generation as Generation Q -- the Quiet Americans and criticizes that the generation is being too quiet. Fishman, however, expresses contrary opinion in his article. He explains why the generation has the quiet characteristic and denies Friedman’s idea of being quiet is wrong. Two articles analyze the issue in similar ways, and they both seem to be reasonable with their supporting evidences. Nonetheless, from the perspectives of objectivity, supporting details and conclusion, “Generation of Generation Q” is more persuasive and more effectively characterizes this generation of young people. If we compare two authors’ arguments about the technology impact on the young generation, Friedman’s assertion seems too arbitrary. Friedman visited several colleges, including his alma mater, his daughter’s school, as well as some other colleges; he found out that the young generation is being too quiet. Friedman calls them the “‘Generation Q’: the Quiet Americans”. He criticizes that the Generation Q is “quietly pursing their idealism”; Friedman disagrees with such action: “if they are not spitting mad, well, then they’re just not paying attention” (98). Friedman establishes his assertion through pure observation; I consider that Friedman’s argument is lack of objectivity. He aggressively accuses that if the young generation does not speak up, then they are not