'Do Anybody Make Real Sh*t Anymore?' Is Generation-Y To Blame For The Death Of Originality?
Some abstract ideas — like chivalry — are socially deceased. While chivalry’s death is a devastating blow for our generation, what’s keeping other abstract concepts around? Should we be worried about the well-being of originality, for example?
The existence of inspiration is credited to the muse, but what messages have modern muses sent Generation-Y?
Originality is a difficult skill because the life span of creativity has had a long, long road and the burden to revitalize it would be cumbersome. Though the regeneration may never absolutely happen, we cannot sit back simply and watch the potential burn.
Being original — whether among your friends, at work or wherever — is rare. Uniqueness becomes weaker the longer it lingers and doesn’t change.
Just re-watch “Fight Club” to see the series of nonconformists slowly morphing, becoming conformists themselves. Shifts like this can create copies of a copy, a notion that provides room for bewilderment. That feeling of perplexity doesn’t have to lead to a closed door.
Wherever there is a copy of a copy, an original exists behind the curtain. But, a copy can always be altered into something new.
Originality may be dead, but former generations have left millennials a base off which to jump. It doesn’t matter if the new development is a mere expansion of something that exists, or an entire deconstruction of one idea.
As long as young people are doing something to improve an idea, product or an art form, the preservation of originality will uphold. There is nothing that screams philistine more than someone who masks existing ideas and parades them as one’s own; credit must be given where it is due.
It’s hard to refute the idea that originality is dead, since it comes with risk. Imagine, you’re at work and your boss gives you another assignment.
Generation-Yers are aware of what their superiors want in these circumstances and understand the procedures they must follow. Being original by going against that method can be terrifying, because the road to success is unknown.
Taking that risk could cost Gen-Yers employment, but with bigger risks come rewards as well as consequences. If Gen-Yers want to call themselves creative and restore originality, they need to take risks.
So, is originality truly dead, or is it in a state of rejuvenation? Gen-Yers must take the time, hits and risks to bring originality into their lives.
It’s a challenge in which not every Gen-Yer must partake; there’s nothing wrong with following the same course of action or protocol in a given scenario. The same actions can grow tiresome; however, the power to change this rests with Gen-Yers.
It doesn’t have to be revolutionary; all that matters is that someone, somewhere is making an earnest attempt to alter the thoughts, opinions, culture and lifestyle of Generation-Y.
Top Photo Courtesy: Flickr
