We enjoy the sadism of Cartman and the selfishness of the Bluth family. We tune into reality shows to see cast members fight or embarrass themselves. We gather around computers to watch YouTube videos of skateboarders faceplanting on concrete.
Our generation has a cynical sense of humor. Can you blame us?
As soon as we grew old enough to know what was happening in the world, the trashy Monica Lewinsky scandal humiliated President Clinton. Then came President Bush, whose handling of the War on Terror, the war in Iraq and Hurricane Katrina weakened our faith in government. Now Wall Street’s greed has left us in a giant recession right as we’re starting our careers.
Cynicism isn’t new in America. In 1979 Jimmy Carter gave his famous “malaise speech,” urging Americans to regain the optimism they lost after Watergate, Vietnam, the oil crisis and years of harsh inflation.
But cynicism then was nothing compared to now. In those days, Americans laughed at Chevy Chase’s bumbling impression of Gerald Ford on SNL. Now we have entire shows devoted to lampooning political leaders. A few years ago Comedy Central even ran “That’s My Bush!” a sitcom about President Bush’s life.
I’ve heard unflattering comments about President Obama on “The Daily Show,” but there’s no sitcom about him in the works. That’s because people our age – the show’s primary viewers – believe in the new president.
Voters ages 18 to 29 turned out in record numbers last November, favoring Obama over McCain by 68 to 30 percent. Obama’s approval rating among voters under 30 is 76 percent, compared to 56 percent overall.
This is the first time our generation has been optimistic about anyone other than Harry Potter, and it’s a little unsettling. I worry that some of our enthusiasm for President Obama comes from his “cool” image and his contrast with President Bush.
We shouldn’t let our desire for change overwhelm us. After all, the disaffection of the ’70s led Americans to support the change promised by the conservative movement and elect Ronald Reagan as president. The conservative era that followed arguably lasted until last year’s election.
Yet at the same time, I’m glad we’ve found someone to be passionate about. It’s good that “Obamania” has made so many young people interested in politics. Perhaps the best thing about Obama’s election is that it has taught the millions of young people who voted and volunteered for him that they can achieve the change they want. I prefer this to the apathy felt during the Bush years.
Our change in attitude could have long-term beneficial effects. President Obama launched a volunteer program in January to take advantage of the “new spirit of service in America.” If Americans transfer their new feelings of optimism and empowerment to such service efforts, they could achieve great things.
We should be cautious in our enthusiasm of the new president, but it’s good to have a certain amount of faith in our leaders. Maybe now that we aren’t so cynical, we’ll be interested more in the news than in Paris Hilton’s promiscuity.
Weinberg senior Richard Webner can be reached at [email protected].
