What will define our generation?

TECHNOLOGY
Junior Emily Puffer sits in a crowded lecture hall, scanning Facebook while on her MacBook as a professor explains supply and demand graphs.

She deviates from Word to fmylife.com to Twitter, where she spots a colorful, glow-in-the-dark pair of Reeboks. She Google image searches the fabulous kicks, finds a Japanese online vendor and ponders converting dollars to yen.

“Our generation definitely has an immediacy problem,” Puffer said. “It’s almost ridiculous that I can do all of this at the same time. We’re master multi-taskers.”
Puffer also said she feels naked without her Blackberry Curve.

“I’m so attached to my phone that sometimes I fall asleep with it in my hand,” she said. “My dependence on technology is almost sickening. I spend a ridiculous amount of time on social networking sites daily.”

Sophomore Daniel Renner said his daily agenda is also technology-packed.

“I start the day with Weatherbug, say good morning to Google, get on Facebook and (text) to friends via cell phone,” he said. “Wikipedia helps with my homework. Good night with Facebook.”

FASHION
Back issues of Vogue serve as proof: Fashion is an ever-changing industry.

Freshman and self-proclaimed fashionista Molly Byrne said it’s only appropriate for shopping methods to advance as well. She and her friends love online shopping.

“It’s so convenient,” Byrne said. “You’ve got a wide selection to easily compare with other stores. And when you don’t live in a big city, it keeps you connected to the fashion world.”

Byrne, a New York native, said Internet boutiques bring hot styles to her dorm room. She said Web sites such as Topshop,  American Apparel and Bloomingdale’s receive the most clicking action from her peers.

TRENDS
Bloomington Trends: Leggings, North Face, Uggs, V-necks, Pea Coats, Plaid Shirts

MUSIC
When it comes to chart-topping hits, diversity prevails. Eclectic American interests have catapulted artists of all genres to success: Britney Spears jilted womanizers, Rascal Flatts told us what hurts the most and Lil Wayne forever sleaze-ified the way we perceive lollipops. Like stars of generations past, contemporary artists give us big sound courtesy of label help and expensive studios. But recent trends in computer applications enable low-budget musicians to release quality jams.

Local rap group The Busines member Adrian Jenkins said he and his bandmates created an entire album on a laptop. Using GarageBand – described on the Apple Web site as a “fully featured recording studio” – the Bloomington trio spat rhymes over self-procured beats.

“We made about 20 tracks in six months,” he said. “Our beats sounded as good as beats you’d hear on the radio.”

Eric Rudd, former staff engineer at Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles, said portable studios both help and hurt the music industry.

“New technology has opened up the creative playing field for people interested in the genre,” he said. “Ultimately, it’s a tool for people to express themselves more efficiently. Good things are produced, but a lot of crap is put out also.”

Rudd said his studio charged $2,000 to $2,500 a day just to use facilities – no engineer help included.

“We’re talking serious money,” he said. “Michael Jackson once rented the studio at that price for two years. Now I could record a vocalist in my living room for $50 dollars a day.”